A verified badge is a check icon that appears next to an Instagram account’s name in search and on the profile. It means that Instagram has confirmed that an account is the authentic presence of the public figure, celebrity, or brand it represents. It is a symbol of social status.
We all are aware of its prestige and not just anyone can get it. Read on to find out how to increase your chances of getting verified as an influencer!
Instagram’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines
Before getting started on your verification journey, Instagram makes it clear that there are 4 general requirements for an account to become verified.
Requesting to Get Verified
For those that have met the above criteria and are feeling confident to get your account verified, we have compiled a step-by-step guide for you to follow! For those of you who are not feeling as confident or there are more improvements you would like to make to your account first before requesting, you may head on over to the next section where we covered tips to increase your chances of getting verified!
Step 1: Go to your profile and click the 3 horizontal lines at the top right hand corner
Step 2: Click “Settings”
Step 3: Click “Account”
Step 4: Click “Request verification”
Step 5: Fill in your details
- Full name → Your full legal name/business’ registered name
- Document type → Submit a photo of your official government ID. For individuals, this could be your driver’s license/passport; For businesses, this could be your articles of incorporation/tax filings/utility bills
- Category → Select the category/industry you belong to from the list Instagram provides
- All of the above are required information. There are other sections such as Audience, Also known as and Links that are optional
Increasing Your Chances of Getting That Badge
Tip 1: Build your follower base and engagement rate
Building your follower base and engagement rate is crucial not only as a budding influencer but also to prove to Instagram that you are authentic and deserving of that badge.
Luckily, Avenue has a tracking tool just for this. This way, you can reassess the type of content to produce in order to better meet the needs of your audience, thus boosting your engagement rate and follower base.
Tip 2: Post at the best times for your audience
Posting at the optimal timings for your audience will be good at boosting your engagement. This way there is a higher chance more of your followers will see your post and engage with it.
We recently covered the best times to post on Instagram in our recent blogs! Check out our blog “When is the Best Time to Post on Instagram”.
Tip 3: Don’t lie
In their help guidelines they specifically say that they will deny your verification badge (and may even disable your account) if you lie in any way by providing false/misleading information when requesting for the verification badge from Instagram.
Be honest, at all times. Be honest and real with your followers, produce authentic content. Be truthful with Instagram as well, if you think lying may increase your chances of getting verified, think again. If you don’t get it the first time, you can always try again.
Tip 4: Don’t buy a fake verification badge
On Instagram, there are all these accounts that say they can sell you a verification badge. Whatever their reason is, or how convincing they may be, don’t cave in. These people in one way or another are just trying to con you of your money.
Don’t Lose Your Badge
Getting your badge doesn’t mean it is yours forever, and Instagram can’t take it away. Instagram has explicitly stated that they will take away your badge or disable your account if you:
Hopefully none of you would have to go through that, so ensure that you stick by the rules so that Instagram has zero grounds on taking it away from you!
