We all like to build an account on Instagram and influence people on some level. However, posting often or publishing a great content, even engaging with your followers is not enough. It is a matter of getting verified on Instagram! That small blue badge is the winning lottery for approval and to become one of the top influencers on social media.
Why you should get verified on Instagram
Status…Status…Status!
The one word which describes an influencer on social network is status. No matter how famous, respected or liked; when you have status, people will listen to you and get inspired by you. Billions of Instagram users try to put their name out there; even major companies have gained so much from this social application. But, without status, your account is just another number. You will hardly ever get noticed. Your chance to make your business account grow will go down in drains. What is that one critical element which can officially make you the coolest person on earth and earn you status? The blue badge of course!
The company explains further what being verified means “Instagram has confirmed that an account is the authentic presence of the public figure, celebrity or global brand it represents.”
The company investigates your account and looks for 4 major characteristics:
- Complete
- Authentic
- Unique
- Notable
These characteristics will be further explained and you will see how your account can get them. For the time being, if your brand or company is well-known in whatever industry you are in, you have the chance to obtain the verification.
3 steps to apply for the Blue Badge
1. Open the app
Make sure to open Instagram on your smartphone, go to your profile and click on the button found on the top right. At the bottom of the menu, click on settings, account button then request verification
2. Fill out the verification form
In this section, you will need to add information so that Instagram will consider verifying your account. After your username is automatically filled in, add your full name the exact precise way it is written on your government ID. Next, type what you are known as online. Finally, add your category like music, entertainment, writer, blogger/influencer… But, if you are applying for your business badge, make sure to select business/brand/organization. Before you click on the send button, upload your government- issued personal ID to prove your identity. It is important for the company to know who you are.
This may look easy; however, the process of winning the badge goes beyond an application form.
3. Submit your request
You will receive and answer from Instagram in a matter of days. If you did not receive the verification, you can re-apply in 30 days. As long as you wait the given time, you can submit your form several times.
However, you must be utterly truthful with the information provided. Instagram states “if you provide false or misleading information during the verification process, we will remove your verified badge and may take additional action to delete your account.”
Furthermore, Instagram has the right to take away your account and badge if you:
- Advertise, transfer or sell your verified badge.
- Use your profile picture, bio, or name section to promote other services.
- Attempt to verify your account through a third party.
The four characteristics to your eligibility
Even though the process of application is easy, you will have to see if your account lives up to the company’s bars. As mentioned earlier, Instagram scans your account looking for 4 major characteristics before handing you the blue badge.
1. Complete:
This criteria is super easy. Instagram states that your account must be public, contains a bio, a profile photo and one post to the least. However, you must not have any additional links to other social network services. Netflix checks the box by having a complete account.
2. Authentic
Your account “must represent a real person, registered business or entity.” Your government ID will prove to Instagram that you are a real person whose goal is to obtain the badge. However if you are applying for your business, the company needs a different explanation.
Generally, your name and ID must be proof enough that you work for the requested company. If your name is mentioned in the company’s official website or LinkedIn account, it will be perfect. Instagram employees will have all the information required to proceed with your request.
If you are a founder of a brand, you would need to get quoted in articles, speak at events or promote your company’s name on your personal accounts. The idea is to show Instagram that you are tied to this certain company. Better yet, if both your name and the company’s name can be found on Google then you are most likely to be given the badge.
3. Unique:
What Instagram means by this characteristic is that there should be only one account and one representation of your brand. This is obvious unless your brand has different accounts for different countries. For instance, Netflix has several language specific accounts.
A small tip, if you have any fan accounts you might want to mention the word “official” in the account you are trying to promote.
4. Notable:
Out of all the 4 criterias, this one is the hardest because it requires a lot of time. Let’s explain in two parts.
- The first part focuses on being famous and highly searched. It is extremely important for you or your brand’s name to be mentioned in the world of media. For example, you or your work should be featured in magazines, newspapers, influential blogs and other media. In addition, Instagram has a way of knowing whether your brand has a high volume of searches or not. Therefore, it is better to enhance your marketing so your brand gets searched online.
- The second part sheds light on paid reviews. Instagram does not take paid advertising into consideration. So, if you use Instagram Ads or have an influencer promoting your brand then you should probably reconsider your marketing strategies.
What to do if you can’t get verified on Instagram?
Like any opportunity in the world, there is a 50% chance of it not working out. If that’s the case then you can reapply again in 30 days. Instagram does not have a specific number of times to apply for the badge. The sky is the limit!
However, if you get rejected, try working on your account by increasing Instagram engagement before applying again. Remember that you have to fit all four characteristics. It is so easy to check two out of the four boxes: complete and unique. Just think of what you can do to make your account authentic and notable. It is advisable to create more video content or evoke some interest by writing gripping captions.
If you want to figure out what is missing. Here are some additional ideas:
- Is your brand featured in the media? How many times? If not, what are your targeted sites?
- What social proof can you use to your advantage? Did you manage to do any collaboration with other brands?
- Use Google Keyword Planner to find out how many times your brand has been searched per month.
The Takeaway
Being granted the blue badge would be like winning a golden ticket after years of determination and hard work. If your brand is well-known and influential in your field of expertise then you have nothing to worry about. With a dash of confidence and good marketing, status will be earned and it will be yours!
