In 2018, Instagram started allowing users to request to be “verified” on the app. Most social media gurus and content creators know exactly what this means: a blue checkmark indicating that… you made it. Jokes aside, the blue checkmark means you’re an established figure. If you’re looking to verify your profile or your business profile, look no further. We’ll give you the scoop! 

Know who can get verified 

Just to make sure you don’t spend extra time on this, first make sure you know if you can or can’t get verified. There are criteria for getting that blue checkmark, here’s what Instagram says: 

• 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, with exceptions for language-specific accounts. We don’t verify general interest accounts (example: @puppymemes).
• Complete: Your account must be public and have a bio, profile photo, and at least one post. Your profile 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. We review accounts that are featured in multiple news sources, and we don’t consider paid or promotional content as sources for review.
  
  

Deciding if Instagram verified is right for you 

Did you check off all the boxes? If so, you may be mulling over whether or not you want to get verified. One of the biggest reasons why Instagram users get verified is to establish credibility and avoid confusion with fake accounts. You’ve probably seen “celebrity” accounts that look like a celebrity’s profile but end up being a rip-off fan account. With the blue checkmark, fans and followers will know it’s you the minute they stumble across your profile. Mission accomplished! 

Steps to getting verified on Instagram 

1. Go to your profile and look at the top right corner. You’ll see three horizontal lines. Tap this. 
2. Tap “Settings” and then tap “Account.”
3. Tap “Request Verification”
4. Fill out the application. It’s short and sweet and should take no more than 5 minutes to complete. 
5. The last step asks for a government-issued photo ID. A few examples of this: a driver’s license, a passport, or a national identification card. 
6. When you’ve triple-checked everything, hit “Send” and away you go!
    

How to improve your chances 

Getting verified on Instagram is more than just submitting the application for the blue checkmark. It’s the way you carry yourself on the platform — and of course, being the person you say you are. Here are a few tips to cross that verification application over the finish line: 

• Follow the Instagram Terms of Use and Community Guidelines. 
• Establish your presence on Instagram. Grow your followers, interact with the Instagram community, and get your content out into the world. For more help with this, reach out to us and we’ll give you a hand!
• Be who you say you are. This one’s pretty simple. Just don’t lie about who you are! 
• Make sure your account is public. This helps expand your reach and let more people see who you are and what you’re all about. 

Getting verified on Instagram is no small feat, and we’re not here to tell you it’s easy, but it’s definitely do-able. Good luck!