One of the most sought-after features of any social media platform is the verification checkbox in blue. As a marketing strategy, it has the potential to set you apart from the competition. Many people will consider you to have “made it” once you reach this point, and you’ll have a positive impression of the value of your business or account as a result. Whether or not this is the case, people continue to pursue it with vigour.
Instagram (owned by Meta) still approves on a case-by-case basis, in contrast to Twitter’s pay-to-play process of verification, which offers the elusive blue checkmark for a charge.
The submission method for verification is straightforward. Also, Instagram publishes information regarding its most basic functions without hiding anything. Instagram’s decision-making process remains mysterious, however.
The art of humbling oneself
- First, access your profile by opening the Instagram app and tapping the menu icon (three horizontal lines) on the top right.
- Second, go to the Control Panel.
- Third, sign up for a bank account.
- Lastly, in Step 4, select Request Verification.
After that, Instagram will need your full name and an ID proof, like a driver’s licence or passport. Send the file to us.
After that, Instagram will check with you to ensure your celebrity status. Notable categories like “news,” “sports,” “entertainment,” and others are requested. They also want you to provide details about your target demographic and links to publications, other social media accounts, and websites to back up your request.
Five, send it in and wait. If your application is turned down, you must wait 30 days before trying again.
What makes you eligible for confirmation?
Instagram is quite secretive regarding the criteria they use to validate profiles. They will only disclose that they seek for accounts that could be compromised by imposter accounts.
Instagram claims that they consider four variables while making their choice:
- You must be a legitimate business or individual. No pretending to be a movie poster or made-up character allowed. To illustrate, Instagram says a fake Luke Skywalker account made to promote a new Star Wars movie is not allowed.
- The account must be the only one of its kind, representing a certain individual or company. Unless the accounts are in different languages, Instagram will not confirm more than one.
- The profile must be public, active, and contain a bio and a photo.
- The user must be a “highly searched for person, brand, or entity” and their account must represent a “well-known” company or person.
- According to Instagram, your chances of getting verified go up if you’re more likely to be impersonated. People who are in the public eye due to being in the news or renowned for particular activities but have a large number of followers may find some solace in this.
The main problem is that various people will assign different meanings to these criteria. Instagram has the last say on who receives the coveted blue checkmark, despite what you and your followers may think.
How can I better my odds?
While the ultimate say rests with Instagram, more followers means a higher likelihood of being approved.
Having a large number of followers will increase your chances of being verified. But they have to be genuine fans, not bots that you paid to join your team.
Use the app frequently. Some people believe Instagram uses engagement rates and whether or not you use their services (such as advertising) to determine who gets promoted.
Improve your findability. You have a better chance of being recognised as significant if you can be easily found using search engines.
There must be evidence of your existence. Having a Wikipedia page and other online media coverage can be helpful. This will aid in making you famous.
Should I fork up the cash to make sure?
To put it briefly, no.
Countless resources assert that they offer the one true route to verification. They’ll tell you they have a connection at Instagram that’ll fast-track your application. Sadly, the opposite is true.
Some of these businesses are scammers, and they may contact you, saying that you are qualified for verification when in fact you are not. Instagram will never cooperate with third-party firms, so don’t expect to receive verification status from them. These scammers will seek for personal information or access to your account, putting you at risk of theft or other harm.
However, if you are famous or have contacts in the media industry, there are ways to get your claim verified. Some PR firms and advertising agencies may have insider access to Instagram, but that’s only because they work closely with numerous social media outlets to promote the brands and personalities of their A-list clientele. There are linkages between several major studios, production corporations, and music industry enterprises. That’s why they may lobby for it by talking to actual firm employees. However, unless you are a rising star with a new movie or song that has been signed with one of these corporations, it will not benefit you.
It will cost you, however there are respectable publicity agencies that can help you get verified. Time is also an issue because of all the above-mentioned measures that must be taken. They will aid in the development of your brand and put you up for authentication based on the prominence they have helped you achieve. Again, you will have to spend more to work with one of the best public relations firms, but the results will be more credible. Even at that level, assurances cannot be made.