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How to Verify Your Instagram Account: Get the Blue Tick

How to Verify Your Instagram Account: Get the Blue Tick

That little blue tick next to an Instagram username. It’s more than just a symbol; it’s a badge of authenticity, a mark of credibility, and a status symbol in the digital world. For many aspiring influencers and established brands, obtaining Instagram verification is a significant milestone. But how exactly do you get that coveted blue tick? This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, providing actionable influencer tips and insights to increase your chances of having your Instagram account verified.

Why Verify Your Instagram Account? The Benefits of the Blue Tick

Before diving into the “how,” let’s understand the “why.” Why should you even bother trying to get verified on Instagram? Here are some key benefits:

Authenticity and Trust: The blue tick instantly tells users that your account is the real deal. It confirms that you are who you claim to be, which is crucial for building trust with your audience. In a world of fake profiles and impersonators, verification sets you apart.
Increased Credibility: Verification boosts your credibility and authority within your niche. It signals to your followers, potential partners, and even Instagram itself that you’re a legitimate and noteworthy figure.
Improved Search Ranking: While not a direct ranking factor in the traditional SEO sense, verified accounts often appear higher in Instagram’s search results. This increased visibility can lead to more followers and engagement.
Access to New Features: Instagram occasionally rolls out new features to verified users first, giving you a competitive edge. This could include early access to new stickers, filters, or other functionalities.
Protection Against Impersonation: Perhaps the most significant benefit is protection against fake accounts impersonating you or your brand. Verification makes it easier for users to identify the real you and report fraudulent accounts.

Ultimately, the blue tick adds a layer of legitimacy and professionalism to your Instagram account, which can translate into tangible benefits for your brand and influence. It’s a powerful tool for solidifying your online presence.

Who is Eligible for Instagram Verification?

Instagram doesn’t grant verification to everyone. There are specific criteria you must meet to be considered. According to Instagram, your account must be:

Authentic: Your account must represent a real person, registered business, or entity. This means no fan accounts, meme pages, or pet accounts (unless they’re officially representing a brand or organization).
Unique: Your account must be the unique presence of the person or business it represents. Only one account per person or business can be verified, with exceptions for language-specific accounts.
Complete: Your account must be public and have a complete bio, profile photo, and at least one post. Your bio should accurately reflect who you are or what your business does.
Notable: This is the most subjective requirement. Instagram states that your account must represent a well-known, highly searched for person, brand, or entity. They review accounts that are featured in multiple news sources, and they don’t consider paid or promotional content as sources for review.

It’s important to understand that even if you meet these criteria, verification isn’t guaranteed. Instagram reserves the right to deny verification to any account, regardless of notability.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for Instagram Verification

Ready to take your shot at getting that blue tick? Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide to applying for Instagram verification:

Access the Verification Request: Open the Instagram app and go to your profile. Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner to open the menu. Then, tap on “Settings.”
Navigate to Account: In the Settings menu, scroll down and tap on “Account.”
Request Verification: Within the Account settings, you’ll find the “Request Verification” option. Tap on it.
Fill Out the Application Form: You’ll be presented with a form that requires you to provide the following information:
- Username: This will be pre-filled with your current username.
- Full Name: Enter your full legal name (or the full legal name of your business).
- Known As: This is where you enter the name you’re commonly known by (e.g., your stage name, brand name). This is crucial for helping Instagram understand who you are.
- Category: Select the category that best describes your account (e.g., News/Media, Sports, Music, Fashion, Entertainment, Blogger/Influencer, Business/Brand/Organization).
- Attach Photo of ID: This is a critical step. You must upload a clear and legible photo of a government-issued photo ID. For individuals, this could be a driver’s license, passport, or national identification card. For businesses, this could be a tax filing, articles of incorporation, or a recent utility bill showing your business name and address. Make sure the information on your ID matches the information you provided in the form.
Submit Your Application: Once you’ve filled out the form and attached your ID, tap the “Send” button to submit your application.

After submitting your application, you’ll receive a notification from Instagram within a few weeks (usually 30 days or less) letting you know whether your request was approved or denied. Be patient, and don’t try to reapply immediately if you’re rejected.

Influencer Tips: Increasing Your Chances of Verification

While the application process itself is straightforward, getting approved for verification is another story. Here are some influencer tips to significantly increase your chances:

1. Build a Strong and Authentic Online Presence

Instagram verification is about proving your notability and authenticity. Before you even apply, focus on building a strong and genuine online presence. This means:

Creating High-Quality Content: Consistently post engaging and valuable content that resonates with your target audience. Focus on quality over quantity.
Engaging With Your Audience: Respond to comments, answer questions, and participate in conversations. Build a community around your account.
Maintaining a Consistent Brand Identity: Use consistent branding elements across all your online platforms, including your profile picture, bio, and overall aesthetic.
Growing Your Follower Base Organically: Avoid buying followers or using artificial means to inflate your numbers. Instagram can detect fake followers, and it will hurt your chances of verification. Focus on organic growth by providing valuable content and engaging with your audience.

2. Get Featured in Reputable News Sources

Instagram explicitly states that they consider news sources when evaluating verification requests. Getting mentioned in reputable publications is a powerful way to demonstrate your notability. This doesn’t necessarily mean getting featured in the New York Times (although that would certainly help!). Focus on getting coverage in industry-specific publications, local news outlets, or reputable online blogs that are relevant to your niche.

For example, if you’re a fashion influencer, try to get featured in fashion blogs or magazines. If you’re a local business owner, aim for coverage in local news outlets or business publications.

How do you get featured? Here are a few strategies:

Public Relations: Hire a PR professional to pitch your story to journalists and media outlets.
Press Releases: Write and distribute press releases about newsworthy events or achievements related to your business or brand.
HARO (Help a Reporter Out): Sign up for HARO, a service that connects journalists with sources. Respond to relevant queries from journalists seeking expert opinions or information.
Networking: Build relationships with journalists and media professionals. Attend industry events and connect with them on social media.

3. Optimize Your Instagram Profile

Your Instagram profile is your digital storefront. Make sure it’s optimized for verification by:

Using a Clear and Professional Profile Picture: Choose a high-quality photo that accurately represents you or your brand.
Writing a Compelling Bio: Your bio should clearly and concisely explain who you are, what you do, and why people should follow you. Include relevant keywords that people might use to search for you.
Adding a Link to Your Website or Other Relevant Pages: Drive traffic to your website or other important online destinations.
Making Your Account Public: Your account must be public to be considered for verification.

4. Be Active and Consistent

An active and consistent Instagram account demonstrates that you’re serious about your presence on the platform. Post regularly, engage with your followers, and stay up-to-date with the latest trends. An abandoned or inactive account is unlikely to be verified.

5. Be Patient and Persistent (But Not Annoying)

The verification process can take time, and rejection is common. Don’t get discouraged if your first application is denied. Take the feedback you receive (if any), improve your profile and online presence, and reapply after a reasonable amount of time (usually a few months). However, avoid bombarding Instagram with repeated applications. This will likely hurt your chances rather than help them.

What To Do If Your Verification Request is Denied

Unfortunately, rejection is a common experience. If your Instagram account verification request is denied, don’t give up! Here’s what you can do:

Understand the Reason: Instagram may or may not provide a specific reason for the denial. If they do, carefully consider their feedback and address the issues they raised.
Improve Your Profile and Content: Focus on improving the areas mentioned in the feedback, or generally enhance your profile’s quality, consistency, and engagement.
Gain More Notability: Work harder to get featured in reputable news sources and build your online presence.
Wait Before Reapplying: Avoid reapplying immediately. Give yourself some time (at least a few months) to make significant improvements to your profile and online presence.
Report Impersonation Accounts: If you’re being impersonated, report those accounts to Instagram immediately. This will strengthen your argument for verification.

Remember, building a strong and authentic online presence takes time and effort. Focus on providing value to your audience and building a genuine connection with your followers. The blue tick may be a desirable goal, but it’s not the only measure of success on Instagram.

Beyond the Blue Tick: Building a Successful Instagram Presence

While getting verified can be a significant achievement, it’s essential to remember that it’s just one piece of the puzzle. True success on Instagram comes from building a strong brand, creating valuable content, and engaging with your audience.

Here are some additional tips for building a successful Instagram account:

Use Relevant Hashtags: Hashtags help people discover your content. Use a mix of broad and niche-specific hashtags to reach a wider audience.
Collaborate With Other Influencers: Collaborating with other influencers in your niche can expose you to new audiences and boost your credibility.
Run Contests and Giveaways: Contests and giveaways are a great way to increase engagement and attract new followers.
Use Instagram Stories and Reels: Instagram Stories and Reels are powerful tools for creating engaging and interactive content.
Analyze Your Data: Use Instagram Insights to track your performance and identify what’s working and what’s not.

Conclusion

Obtaining the blue tick on Instagram can be a challenging but rewarding process. By following the steps outlined in this guide, focusing on building a strong and authentic online presence, and implementing the influencer tips provided, you can significantly increase your chances of getting verified. Remember to be patient, persistent, and focus on providing value to your audience. Good luck!

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How to verify your Instagram account