Blue Check, Please: What Is An Instagram Verification Badge?

As with other social media, having a verified account on Instagram clearly carries with it significant value, but exactly what it means, and what the process of getting verified is like can seem elusive to some users. Here we walk through the importance of verification and how to determine whether or not you qualify.

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Guest post by Bobby Owsinski of Music 3.0

Many Instagram users have probably seen an account with a blue check badge next to a user’s name during a search and wondered what it was. That’s a verification badge designed to help people easily find public figures, celebrities and brands they want to follow. A verified badge means that Instagram has confirmed that an account is the authentic presence of the public figure, celebrity or global brand it represents.

Getting Verified

Not every user is eligible to receive a verified badge. It’s actually limited public figures, celebrities or brands that meet certain account and eligibility requirements. If that’s you, this is what you do to request a verified badge:

1. Make sure you’re logged in to the account you’re requesting a verified badge for.
2. Go to your profile and tap  .
3. Tap Settings > Account > Request Verification.
4. Enter your full name and provide the required form of identification (example: government-issued photo ID).

What You Need To Be Eligible For Verification

Keep in mind that even if your account is eligible for verification, submitting a request doesn’t guarantee that your account will be verified. The company looks at a number of factors when evaluating Instagram accounts to determine if they’re in the public interest and meet their verification criteria.

In addition to following Instagram’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines, your account also needs to be:

• Authentic: Your account must represent a real person, registered business or entity.

• Unique: Your account must be the unique presence of the person or business it represents. Only one account per person or business may be verified, the only exceptions being for a public figure or company that has a number of language-specific accounts. General interest accounts (example: @puppymemes) are not eligible for verification.

• Complete: Your account must be public and have a bio, profile photo and at least one post. Your profile also can’t contain “add me” links to other social media services.

• Notable: Your account must represent a well-known, highly searched for person, brand or entity. The Instagram verification team reviews accounts that are featured in multiple news sources, and don’t consider paid or promotional content as sources for review.

Keep in mind that if you provide false or misleading information during the verification process, Instagram will remove your verified badge and may even go so far as to delete your account. Other things that you can’t do include:

• Advertise, transfer or sell your verified badge (be careful here – there are entities advertising that they will sell their badges).
• Use your profile picture, bio or name section to promote other services.
• Attempt to verify your account through a third party.

Even if your account doesn’t receive a verified badge, there are other ways to let people know you’re authentic. For example, you can link to your Instagram account from your official website, Facebook Page, YouTube or Twitter account, which is why it’s always a good idea to have at least another online presence.

You can read more from Social Media Promotion For Musicians and my other books on the excerpt section of bobbyowsinski.com.