Getting your Instagram verification was virtually impossible before August 2018. This was not accessible to the vulgum pecus (i.e. “the common man”, but it feels classy to use Latin, right? ?).
Only the elite had grace in Instagram’s eyes: celebrities, public figures and big brands.
There were a few exceptions to the rule, but these required a well-stocked address book to be co-opted or a particularly high profile account. Otherwise, there was no question of having access only to the official application form!
Things have changed recently and the grail is now within reach of everyone… or almost. Because, while everyone can apply for the coveted blue badge, not everyone gets it.
To maximise your chances of getting your Instagram account approved, follow our guide carefully.
What is the point of having your Instagram verification?
Before you go through the process, do you know why you should get your Instagram account verified?
Verified Instagram accounts are graced with a blue sun-shaped badge with a white mark inside. With this badge, Instagram confirms that your account is genuine, that it is not a bot or a fake account where the visitor can be scammed. This is the best way to gain the trust of your audience.
On the other hand, as verifications are hard to get, the badge is a quality guarantee that will earn you respectability on the app. ✅
How do I get my Instagram verification?
The process is simple and only requires a few clicks.
- Go to your Instagram account settings
- By scrolling down, you will find the “Request verification” command at the bottom
- The application asks you to enter your user name, then your full name, and to add a passport photo if you are an individual, or a document proving the existence of your company if you have a business account
- Finalise the operation by pressing “Send”
Your application is now in progress. All you have to do now is wait wisely to find out whether it has been accepted or rejected. Instagram doesn’t commit to any time frame, so the process can be long. ?
What are the requirements for your Instagram account to be verified?
In order to keep the blue badge valuable, it is only granted sparingly. Instagram takes its time and sorts out the approved accounts.
In order to give yourself the best possible chance, here are some tips and tricks. In addition, of course, to strictly adhere to all the terms of use and community rules of Instagram.
Your account must meet the following requirements:
- It must be authentic, which means that you must state your real identity, not a pseudonym, or prove that your business is real
- You are only allowed one account per person or per company. With the exception of accounts translated into several languages, Instagram does not verify multiple accounts
- The access to your account must be public and accessible to all
- Be as complete as possible in your profile information with your bio, at least one photo and one publication. Be careful not to include links to other social networks, as this would be very unpopular on Instagram!
- Your e-popularity will weigh heavily in the balance. Instagram only wants to grant the badge of verified account to personalities, people who are well known or have a high level of popularity. The application does not rely on paid or promotional content but on your fame alone
What if your Instagram verification request is rejected by Instagram?
As you can see, not everyone has the possibility to access the verified account.
In this case, you need to prove the authenticity of your account and there are several solutions for this. ?
Actively refer your visitors to your Instagram account
All your digital communication should be linked anyway. The audience that comes to your other social networks, your blog, e-commerce or any other channel, should obviously come across the link to your Instagram account.
Your visitors will clearly identify your account and have no doubts about its authenticity.
Be consistent in the naming of your accounts
The personal or company name you use should be exactly the same across all your communication.
There is no question of you using a different name depending on whether you are on your Instagram account, your Facebook account, your blog, etc.
For communication to be effective, it must be global and meet a requirement of homogeneity.
Adopt a consistent communication and visual identity
In the same spirit of consistency, visual identity is an element that should never be neglected.
Wherever your visitor is, when he crosses the path of one of your communications, whatever the medium, he must immediately identify you.
Your brand must be present everywhere and your audience must find a familiar environment on all your media. They will immediately recognise your Instagram account as their own.
Your Instagram account should appear in all your communications
Everywhere you communicate, your link to the Instagram account must appear: emails, newsletters, letters…
This applies to digital promotion, but also to physical media such as your business cards, flyers, posters, product packaging…
Writing an article? Integrate an Instagram content. Publishing a banner for a promotion? Notify the link to your Instagram account…
Fill in your Instagram profile correctly
- Add your website link to your profile. This is a good way to prove your authenticity and professionalism. Remember that Instagram does not allow links to other social networks, so don’t.
- Apply yourself to writing your bio. Take your time to write it and don’t hesitate to have others read it. We are often poor judges when we talk about ourselves. An outside eye is always welcome.
Your bio should tell a story about you and reflect your personality. No false modesty, no smugness either, be natural. You can add keywords and end with a discreet but effective call to action.
- It’s a good idea to display your relationships with verified accounts. My friends’ friends are my friends. If you have relationships with verified accounts, your visitor will subconsciously conclude that you are trustworthy.
- Choose your profile picture carefully. Whether it is your personal photo or your company logo, take care of your image. For technical considerations, make sure it is of good quality, in the right format (320 x320 pixels) and adapted to the round shape of the account thumbnail. As for the aesthetics, make sure your look is perfect.
Reapply for Instagram verification
If you were unsuccessful on your first verification request, follow all the tips described above and try again.
Thanks to them, you will have improved the quality of your profile according to Instagram’s criteria and normally, over time, your audience will have grown. Improving your popularity is an added bonus for you.
Instagram relies on its stinginess in handing out badges to raise the quality of accounts. By working to improve it, it will accept you as one of the privileged few with a verified Instagram account.
