Do you want to get verified on Instagram? Are you after that blue verified tick on your or your client’s Instagram profile? If so, that is not an easy task, my friend.
As of 2022, more than 1.13 million users are active on Instagram. However, according to the HypeAuditor report, only 3.26% of Instagram profiles are verified.
The same report also suggests that verified Instagram profiles have a 30% higher engagement rate than regular accounts. Unfortunately, therefore, Instagram gives verified badges to only a handful of celebrities, public figures, influencers or global brands.
However, anyone can apply for an Instagram verified account and try out their luck. But, Instagram has a stringent policy and procedure for assigning verified badges, so keep your fingers crossed.
Here look at this Salesforce Instagram verified badge. Being a leading sales CRM solution has given this privilege to Salesforce:
To help you out, we have created this comprehensive guide. Here you will learn how to apply for an Instagram verified account, eligibility to get an Instagram blue badge and many other tips. So, let’s get moving.
Can I Get My Instagram Profile Verified?
Now, this is a trick question. You can apply to get an Instagram verification badge, but it completely depends upon Instagram whether they will grant your wish or not.
In most cases, Instagram will deny your request if you don’t fall under the strict criteria set by them. You can check out Instagram’s official statement to get some idea about Instagram profile verification.
Besides that, Instagram has not disclosed much about how they award verified badges. However, profiles following under these categories have a better option for verifying their Instagram profiles:
- Authentic. Foremost, Instagram wants you to have a real person or a brand profile. No bots or illegal content profiles are considered for verification on Instagram.
- Public. Private Instagram accounts are not eligible for verification. Only public figures with open accounts can apply for verified badges.
- Fully optimized profile. Your Instagram profile must be fully optimized with a photo, description, bio, and you must be active on some other social networks. Besides this, businesses should have a business Instagram account for verification purposes.
- Unique. Your Instagram profile has to be unique. No one else should have a similar Instagram account like yours. If the Instagram team finds that your account is not unique and has been used by other users as well, they will never approve your verification request.
- Notable. Your account must present under a public known figure name or a popular brand that has been searched on multiple platforms. Sponsored and paid media agencies are not eligible for Instagram’s blue badge.
How to Apply for Getting Instagram Account Verification?
Instagram has set no limit on how many followers you must have before applying to verify your account. You can have 10,000 or 1000 followers on your Instagram account, and you can still apply for verification.
In addition, Instagram verification is different from Facebook verification. If you already have a verified account on Facebook linked to your Instagram profile, this doesn’t mean that you will automatically get verified on Instagram. You have to apply and meet Instagram parameters to get verified on the platform.
It is very simple to apply for verification on Instagram. Just follow these simple steps:
Step 1. Open your IG profile and click on the hamburger icon in the top-right corner.
Step 2. Tap on Settings > Account > Request Verification.
Step 3. After that, Instagram will send a form to you, which you have to fill with all the right information to increase your chance of getting approval. This form includes fields like your legal name, government ID proof, select category, etc.
Step 4. Once you are done filling out the form, tap on Send. Now, you have to wait for 30 days and keep on checking your notifications for the updates.
7 Tips to Get Your Instagram Profile Verified
Did Instagram decline your verification request? Then, there is no need to worry about it. You can send another verification request after 30 days. There is no limit on sending verification requests to the Instagram team.
However, it is not also a smart move to send a request after every 30 days to get rejection only.
So, what to do?
Therefore, you should first optimize your Instagram profile in a way that the Instagram team cannot deny your verification request anymore. Here are some easy tips that you can try to get your Instagram profile verified in no time:
Tip #1. Don’t buy Instagram followers, views, or anything else
Do you plan to buy Instagram followers or views? Did someone tell you that they can improve your Instagram post views in exchange for money?
Never do that!
First of all, buying Instagram followers will take you nowhere. You cannot run account-based marketing on bought Instagram followers because most of the paid followers are irrelevant and useless.
In addition, if Instagram gets a whiff of your paid Instagram followers, they will never approve your verification request or can even terminate your account.
So, you have to take a long road and gradually improve your Instagram engagement with relatable content and interacting with relevant profiles.
Tip #2. Use industry-specific hashtags
Hashtags are the best way to increase your post engagement. On both Twitter and Instagram, hashtags are extremely important to boost your content reach.
But, the key element here is to use hashtags relevant to your business or industry. Hashtags are a way for the Instagram algorithm to categorize your content and make them appear in the right search results. Therefore, if you want people in your industry to reach out to your post, you have to use the right hashtags.
For example, if you are an accounting software brand, you should use hashtags that your customers might use to search for your brand on Instagram, such as–
#AccountingSoftware #PayrollSoftware #AccountingIndustry #TaxSoftware
Besides the industry-specific hashtags, you can also use some popular social hashtags and trending hashtags. For example, QuickBooks has used #BlackHistoryMonth to support small black business owners.
You can use generic hashtags like weekend hashtags, Wednesday hashtags, etc. Many tools are available to find relevant hashtags, such as Hashtagify or Tag Blender.
Tip #3. Build a consistent brand across social networks
All the social media networks are connected today. Facebook and Instagram are already part of the same family. Thus, you can build a strong social presence across different social media accounts to push your Instagram account credibility.
You should maintain consistent brand identity across all social media networks like profile picture, bio and other brand elements.
Here are some tips for growing on various social media platforms–
- Develop great content with which your targeted audience can easily relate.
- Use different content distribution methods offered by social media networks, such as using AR Instagram filters, going live on Facebook, creating short TikTok videos, etc.
- All social media platforms appreciate consistency and engagement.
- Build personalized relationships with your followers and connect with them through direct messages.
- Use the same content and style on all social networks.
Tip #4. Track your impostor accounts
Are you constantly struggling with fake, unauthorized and fan accounts impostors your brand image on Instagram.? Then, congratulations, you are an ideal candidate for Instagram profile verification.
Suppose you can successfully prove to the Instagram team that you are a famous personality and, therefore, your profile is being impostor with unauthorized followers. In that case, you can easily get your account verified.
To do so, you should frequently audit your Instagram followers and pinpoint all those irrelevant and unauthorized accounts. This way, you can pretty easily get your Instagram account verified.
Tip #5. Keep your account active
This might sound obvious, but the Instagram team, when it comes to verifying your account, will likely monitor your engagement rate. If you are not active on your Instagram account, this will reduce your chances of getting a verified account.
Thus, you should focus on keeping your account active and alive with real engagement.
The best way to keep your Instagram account active is by publishing aesthetically beautiful pictures and relevant content. You should also frequently interact with other popular accounts in your industry to stimulate the Instagram algorithm.
Organically growing on Instagram will take some time. If you are in a hurry to get your Instagram account verified, you can use some legitimate yet innovative ways to improve your account engagement.
For example, Instagram pods are lately a very popular way to improve engagement. In this method, different Instagram users create a secret group where they share their latest posts. It is compulsory for all members to like and engage with posts shared by other members in the pod.
This way, you will get human interaction on your Instagram posts without breaking any rules.
Tip #6. Boost your search engine ranking
If you want Instagram to take you seriously, search for yourself online. Yup, if your name doesn’t pop up on the first page, Instagram will not take you seriously.
So, head over to popular search engines, specifically Google, and see where your website or personal brand ranks.
If you are not on search engine results or website ranks on the last pages, Instagram might not consider your verification request.
Therefore, you can start working on your search engine ranking by SEO optimizing your website. You can also use relevant keywords, backlinks, guest blogging and other techniques to improve your search engine ranking.
Tip #7. Take a professional help
The final tip would be to hire professional Instagram management services. Professionals can better help you keep your account active, get more engagement on your post and increase your follower base.
In addition, professionals know how to get that blue verification tick on your profile. They can better negotiate a deal with Instagram on your behalf.
Can Instagram Take Away My Verification Badges?
Yes, Instagram can anytime take away your blue tick badge. If you don’t follow Instagram Terms of Use or Community Terms, Instagram can revoke your badge.
Therefore, don’t share malicious or explicit content on your IG account once you become a verified Instagram member. As the Spider-Man says, “With great power comes great responsibility.”
So, the responsibility of a verified IG account holder increases, and they have to work on creating a safe and clean environment on the portal.
Ready to Get an Instagram Verified Account?
Don’t miss your chance if you are eligible to apply for an Instagram verified account. Getting a blue tick on your profile will boost your brand credibility and engagement. It is as rewarding as finding the best unique WordPress theme for your website.
So, carefully read the IG terms and conditions before applying for account verification. Also, follow the tips shared above to increase your chances of getting a blue badge from Instagram.