How to Get Your Instagram Verified (The Ultimate Guide)
(Article updated July 2020)
Are you looking to get a verified badge on Instagram?
The verification is a highly sought-after badge that only a few selected individuals and brands get, so how can you increase your chances of obtaining one?
The different names of a verification
We have many names for the things we love, and the Instagram account verification sure has plenty of them.
To make sure you know what people are referring to when they are using the different names, here are the most common you’ll come across:
- Instagram verification
- Verified badge Instagram
- Instagram verified
- Blue Tick
- Check-mark
- Blue Badge
What is the verification badge?
The verification badge is a blue badge that is placed just right to the username on the profile of the verified account. It is also visible in search and in comments.
The verification badge looks like this in all its glory:
The blue tick on Instagram is similar to all types of verification badges across social media platforms such as YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook. The purpose behind a verification badge is that it shall signify that the account is the “official account” belonging to that exact brand or person.
In order to avoid mix-ups and imposters saying that they are someone who they really aren’t, Instagram quickly introduced the verified badge to their platform.
With the verified badge, people can quickly distinguish the real deal from the imitators and impersonators.
In short, It basically means that Instagram ensures the authenticity of the public figure, celebrity, or brand the account is created to represent.
What does Instagram say?
On Instagram’s website, you can read the following message about how you obtain a check-mark:
“To request a verified badge, you must be a public figure, celebrity or brand and meet certain account and eligibility requirements.
To request a verified badge:
- Make sure you’re logged in to the account you’re requesting a verified badge for.
- Go to your profile by tapping
in the bottom right.
- Tap
in the top right.
- Tap
Settings > Account > Request Verification.
- Enter your full name and provide the required form of identification (example: government-issued photo ID).
Keep in mind that even if your account is eligible for verification, submitting a request doesn’t guarantee that your account will be verified. Learn what happens after you apply for verification.”
How to get verified on Instagram
Okay, now to the big question.
How do you actually become verified on Instagram?
In the early days, Instagram did not give a clear recipe on how you become verified, they simply gave some tips. But now that you can request your account to be verified, it’s a lot different.
There are a few things that all verified accounts have in common that we can take wisdom from.
Want to know what those things are?
Let’s dig in!
1. Have impersonators.
It might sound crazy, but it’s logical if you think about it!
This is what Instagram says about handing out verified badges:
“Accounts representing well-known figures and brands are verified because they have a high likelihood of being impersonated. We want to make sure that people in the Instagram community can easily find the authentic people and brands they want to follow.”
Therefore, the simple and quick answer to getting your account verified is simple: Have impersonators!
Some people are creating their own impersonation pages in order to make it look like a lot of people are impersonating them, and trick Instagram into giving them a verified badge.
Whether you believe this method works or not is up to you…
We can only assume…
It’s quite interesting how the points of obtaining a verification on your account ties together so well, yet still, people are trying to make the matter more complex than it actually is.
There are two simple questions you can ask to better understand how the verification works:
- Why does Instagram give out badges?
- What was the answer to the question above?
That’s it!
If you look at celebrities on Instagram, there is an insane amount of fake accounts trying to resemble them. In those cases, giving them a verification badge is essential. There’s no doubt about it.
With just a quick search, I found 54 accounts with the name Selena Gomez, and I can ensure you that there are plenty more.
So there is no doubt that the verified badge is needed so people can quickly identify the real deal.
This brings us to the next point…
2. Be popular
While there is no follow limit, most verified Instagram pages have over 1 Million followers.
Why?
It’s simple, really.
The reason Instagram hands out verification badges is so people can quickly distinguish the real deal from the impersonators. Those who have a lot of impersonators tend to have a lot of followers. If the verified accounts don’t have a lot of followers, it’s not as common to be impersonated.
Those who have a lot of impersonators tend to have a lot of followers. If the verified accounts don’t have a lot of followers, it’s not as common to be impersonated.
…And if you aren’t impersonated, there’s no point in giving you a verified badge.
Just know that there are verified accounts with a follower count below 10K:
There are even verified accounts with a follower count of below 5K!
This just goes to show that followers aren’t everything, however, the chances of being impersonated are far bigger if you have a lot of followers, therefore, naturally, there will be more accounts with a larger following.
The great thing about building your followers to get a verified badge is that you can’t go wrong! Even if you have built a massive follower base and still don’t get verified, your followers are still there.
And they are very valuable.
2. Stay Active
While Instagram doesn’t publicly say that this is necessary for a verification badge, it certainly doesn’t hurt.
Instagram wants their users to be active on the platform, more so, use it every single day.
The happier you can make Instagram, the bigger the chances are they’ll verify your account.
Let’s say Instagram comes across your account and sees that you have achieved all the necessary steps to becoming verified.
Then… they see that you haven’t shared a single post in several months or even years!
They probably won’t give you a badge, right?
First of all, they might believe you have quit using the platform.
Second, what’s the purpose of giving a verification to a page to someone who doesn’t even use the platform? That is like giving a raise to someone who doesn’t even work there.
You don’t want to be the person giving a bad recommendation and nor do Instagram.
then you probably won´t be receiving a verified badge. Firstly, they might think that you have quit Instagram. And what´s the purpose of making a person that doesn´t even use the app certified?
3. Don’t violate Instagram’s rules
This is an obvious one.
While we don’t know if Instagram keeps a “record” of Instagram users, they can with 100% certainty see how many warnings, blocks, bans, etc. that a user has gotten – if they would like to.
If they see that you’ve broken Instagram’s rules several times, gotten yourself reported, and so on, chances are, you won’t get a verification.
That’s like rewarding a dog that has peed on the carpet.
The result would be that the verified account would believe that it had found the recipe to getting verified:
Spamming, spreading hate, buying fake followers etc.
Make sure you read Instagram’s Terms of use carefully so you aren’t breaking any of their rules consciously or unconsciously.
The last thing you want to do is make Instagram unhappy. Especially if you’re aspiring to get the verification badge.
Actions to avoid that Instagram hates:
- Buying fake followers
- Using a spambot
- Spreading negativity/hate
- Spam-following
- Spam-liking
- Spam-commenting
- Connecting your account to third-party apps
Common questions
Can you copy and paste the badge into your profile?
While some websites claim they have found a “hack” on how to copy and paste the verified check mark in your profile, it is not possible.
If you want to make it look like you have obtained the verification, a trick is to include the “M” emoji (on iPhone) in your bio.
While it isn’t the smartest method, I did actually try this a few days to see if it would actually work. To my surprise, after a few hours, I got a message how I got the verification badge!
Is there any verification form?
Yes! See the guide above on how to request a verification.
Can Instagram remove the verification badge?
Yes, Instagram can remove your verification badge once you’ve got one.
This is what they say about this:
“Though we don’t proactively monitor verified accounts for changes, we may take away an account’s verified status if it posts spam or some other content that doesn’t follow our Community Guidelines, uses the profile pic, full name or bio section to promote other services, or doesn’t remain public.”
While Instagram doesn’t explicitly tell you what you should do in order to get verified (except telling you that people need to have impersonators), they do tell you what you shouldn’t do if you read between the lines.
We touched upon the fact that you shouldn’t break Instagram’s Terms of Use, but in the quote above, Instagram also brings up their “Community guidelines” which the verified account must follow. Otherwise, Instagram may remove the verified badge.
The community guidelines say that you shall not:
- Post spam
- (Post any other type of content that doesn’t follow Instagram’s guidelines)
- Uses the profile pic, full name or bio to promote other services
- Set account to private
Considering that Instagram clearly says you should not do these things, if you are currently doing them, you can just say goodbye to obtaining the verification badge.
The last point is especially interesting because nowhere have I read that non-open accounts (private) can’t get verified – but now you know!
Can I pay for the badge?
Since these badges are handed out on an individual basis by moderators at Instagram, it is impossible to pay for one or fool an algorithm into thinking you are worthy of verifying.
I’m buying a balenciaga store in Houston i need to get verified to increase my follower and get better busines ., the account is balenciagadesigner
Hi Jackson.
The only way to get verified on Instagram is through these methods.
Unfortunately, there is no other way, and even if you do follow all of these steps, it’s not sure that you will get the verified badge.
In other words, the faith rests in Instagram’s hands.
Just keep building your presence on Instagram, make sure you read the post once again carefully, and stay consistent.
Good luck with your verified badge!
Jens
If they verify my account supreme_meme2kw
I want to get verify my account blue badge
Hi!
Instagram recently introduced the ability to “request” to be verified. Simply go to your profile, tap setting in the corner and then “request for verification”. Then, attach business documents or driver’s license (but make sure you have a business account). Instagram will then review your account and decide whether or not your account meets the requirements for being verified.
Hope it helps!
Jens
Pls verified sir
I won’t my a/c verified can u help me
Hi!
Follow the steps in this article. When you have done these steps, there’s nothing more that you can do since Instagram decides if they should verify your account or not!
I want verifyi my insta ac
I’m a bodybuilder and fitness model my account matthockey87 please verify
It’s not possible to somply verify an account. My best advice is that you meet all (or most) of the criteria in this article, then request to have your account verified to Instagram.
Pls
Plz verified my account
Plzzzzzz
Plzz verified my account plzz
@its_navi_bindal
im a theatre actor,my name is reza fathollahi,im iranian actor,for the past 22 years,i have been living on stage and breathing,i have been demanding 7 time to confirm my own page in the way explained by instagram it self,and because i did not want to write to me a wikipedia article ive been ridiculed many times,in persian on google or any kind of browser from my name,or a work that has more than 180 views, and french,american,germany, like tennessee williams,david mamed,arthur miller,shekespeare,samuel beckett,and my students have an instagram verified badge and make me ridiculous,is this true?
known as:art
full name:rezafathoolahi
id:reza_actor
Hi Reza!
Sorry to hear that you do not get verified. As you know, Instagram is completely in charge of who gets verified or not, and if they feel that you don’t meet the requirements which are listed in this article, they won’t verify you. The more famous you are, the easier it will become to get verified, so just keep on working;)
Hope it helps!
Jens
I think instagram doesn’t like to verify people
You’re right!
They are very selective, because otherwise, it wouldn’t be special!
Wow i’m verify