Udemezue John
Introduction.
In today’s digital age, social media has become an integral part of our lives, with Instagram being one of the most popular platforms.
With over one billion active users, standing out from the crowd on Instagram can be challenging, but getting verified can give your profile a boost.
The verification badge, a blue tick next to your username, indicates your authenticity and credibility on the platform.
However, the verification process can be tricky and time-consuming. In this article, we will guide you through the steps to get verified on Instagram the easy way, so you can enjoy the benefits of having a verified account.
What Is Instagram Verification?
Instagram verification is a process where Instagram confirms the authenticity, identity, and credibility of an account on its platform by granting a verification badge, a blue tick next to the username.
The verification badge is a sign that the account is legitimate and has been verified by Instagram, indicating to followers and potential collaborators that the account belongs to a reputable public figure, celebrity, influencer, or brand.
Instagram verification is not available to everyone, and the process can be rigorous, requiring proof of identity, high-quality content, and a significant following.
Why Should I Get Verified On Instagram?
In today’s digital age, social media platforms have become a crucial part of our lives, with Instagram being one of the most popular ones.
With over one billion active users, Instagram has become a hub for influencers, brands, and celebrities to showcase their lives, promote their products, and engage with their followers.
One way to stand out from the crowd on Instagram is by getting verified, a blue badge next to your username that indicates your authenticity and credibility on the platform.
Here are some reasons why you should consider getting verified on Instagram:
1. Establishes Credibility.
Getting verified on Instagram establishes credibility, proving to your followers and potential collaborators that you are who you claim to be.
The verification process confirms your identity and ensures that you are a reputable account holder.
This is especially important for influencers and brands who rely on their online presence to build their reputation and increase their customer base.
Having a verified account can make your profile more trustworthy and increase your chances of success.
2. Increases Visibility.
Getting verified on Instagram can also increase your visibility, making it easier for your account to be found and followed.
Instagram’s algorithm favours verified accounts, placing them higher in search results and recommendations.
As a result, you may see an increase in engagement, followers, and overall reach, which can help you grow your online presence and reach more people.
3. Protects Your Account.
Instagram verification also offers an additional layer of security for your account. With the rise of fake accounts and impersonators, having a verified account can help protect your online identity and prevent others from using your name or image for their gain.
It can also prevent your account from being hacked or taken over by unauthorized individuals, keeping your personal information and content safe.
4. Opens Up New Opportunities.
Having a verified account on Instagram can open up new opportunities for collaboration and partnerships with other brands and influencers.
Many companies and businesses prefer to work with verified accounts as it ensures the authenticity of the partnership and increases the credibility of their brand.
Additionally, being verified on Instagram may lead to opportunities for sponsored content, paid collaborations, and other monetization options.
5. Exclusive Features.
Instagram is constantly introducing new features and tools to its platform, with many of them being exclusively available to verified accounts.
For instance, verified accounts can access Instagram’s swipe-up feature in their Stories, allowing them to include links to external websites or products.
They also can add links to their IGTV videos and use the “Shop” tab in their profiles, making it easier for their followers to shop for their products or services.
How can I Get verified On Instagram Instagram?
Nevertheless, I recommend severe brands and businesses get verified on Instagram to help position their business for success online.
A February 2020 study revealed that 73.4% of Instagram accounts with over one million followers had a verification badge.
As a business on Instagram, you may ask yourself, “How do I get my account verified?” Most social media services have some “verification” process for getting the almighty blue checkmark on your profile.
This section will elaborate on how businesses and brands can lobby for verification.
1. Complete Your Instagram Profile.
The first step to verification is to fill out your Instagram profile completely; this involves putting the correct name, as written on your official documents, Bio, Interests websites and many more.
Writing a good Instagram bio should be a significant priority because, according to researchers, within the first 7 seconds of meeting you, people will have a solid impression of who you are either as a person or a brand.
Ensuring your profile is complete and authentic can also help you build credibility with your audience, which is a great way to get more followers, engagement and media attention. You should also ensure that your Instagram profile is configured as a business account.
In today’s digital age, social media has become an integral part of our lives, with Instagram being one of the most popular platforms.
2. Make Sure Your Account is Eligible.
Before you start the verification process, make sure your account is eligible for verification.
Instagram has specific requirements that your account must meet before it can be considered for verification. Your account must be:
- Authentic: Your account must represent a real person, registered business or entity, or brand.
- Complete: Your account must be complete with a profile picture, bio, and at least one post.
- Public: Your account must be public, meaning that anyone can view your content.
- Unique: Your account must be unique, and not associated with any other accounts that may confuse you.
- Active: Your account must be active, with regular posts and engagement.
3. Submit a Verification Request.
Once you have confirmed that your account is eligible, the next step is to submit a verification request to Instagram. To do this, follow these steps:
Go to your Instagram profile and tap on the three horizontal lines in the top right corner.
- From the dropdown menu, select “Settings.”
- Scroll down and select “Account.”
- Select “Request Verification.”
- Fill in the required information, including your full name, category, and a government-issued photo ID.
- Submit your request.
Instagram will review your request and notify you of their decision. If your request is approved, you will receive a verification badge on your profile.
4. Optimize Your Profile.
While waiting for Instagram to review your verification request, take the time to optimize your profile.
Make sure your profile picture is clear and high-quality, and your bio accurately describes your brand or identity. Use relevant hashtags and keywords to improve your visibility and engagement.
5. Maintain an Active Presence.
Once you receive the verification badge, it’s essential to maintain an active presence on the platform.
Post high-quality content regularly and engage with your followers to build your community. Use Instagram’s features, such as Stories and Reels, to keep your audience engaged and entertained.
6. Build a Following on Other platforms.
The next thing you want to have in place is to make sure you have an online presence outside of Instagram because it would help you fast-track your verification process.
For example, let’s say you have a massive following on YouTube, Podcast or a blog. This can help you with mentions online, which can set the verification process at a fast pace.
Having a massive following on other platforms can send followers to engage your Instagram profile which can emerge.
7. Post engaging content.
The next step is to create more engaging content to set up your Instagram account for verification.
However, If you don’t have the time or the resources to take your photos for Instagram, dont feel bad because it is not the end of the world.
There are various ways to create an engaging feed with excellent content that you did not make. You can leverage other Instagram accounts that are already doing a great job producing content your audience is interested in.
There’s nothing wrong with reposting Instagram content from similar brands aligned with your Instagram strategy. However, make sure You ask permission and give proper credit; Instagram will not ban you.
It would help if you did not forget to follow them more to keep constant updates when such accounts make a post.
As of December 2017, you can follow hashtags on Instagram like you follow accounts to discover great content to repost! Just search for the hashtag on Instagram and click the follow button.
There are plenty of tools to help you create great Instagram posts without being a savvy Photoshop user.
Online design tools such as Canva and Venngage are handy for crafting attractive visuals for social media without hassle.
I wrote a comprehensive guide to help you get started with the best social media marketing tools; check out the article to get started.
8. Stay Active on the platform.
Staying active on Instagram does not mean you become an Instagram Police trying to refresh your activity feed to see what’s happening on Instagram.
You can stay active on Instagram by making your account public because people are more likely to follow you because they liked some random photo. Conversely, if your profile is private, you might miss an opportunity for a potential follow.
Another way to keep active on Instagram is to follow other users. But, of course, if you want to get people to follow you, you have to do the same thing for them.
The best idea is to follow users with fewer followers since they tend to follow you more often.
You should also Post photos at the right time to get engagement because Instagram feeds live for about three hours and then goes away. So posting at the right time will get you maximum exposure and attention.
9. Collaborate With Influencers.
Next in line is to become verified to collaborate with influencers. Influencers are trusted by their followers immensely. They can help you convert people into loyal customers.
Did you know that 63% of marketers today work with ten or more influencers on every campaign? Why do you think brands and marketers rely heavily on influencers for marketing?
The first step is to find the right influencers to succeed with influencer marketing. It’s a good idea to collaborate with an influencer who believes in the same values as your brand. That way, the collaboration seems authentic.
An influencer creates and posts content to promote your brand on their social media accounts.
Instagram already has an inbuilt feature that allows two people to collaborate, so you can take advantage of this when working with influencers.
It would help if you remembered that some influencers might also ask for monetary compensation to promote the products you have gifted.
Conclusion.
Getting verified on Instagram can offer numerous benefits for influencers, brands, and other users. It establishes credibility, increases visibility, protects your account, opens up new opportunities, and provides access to exclusive features.
However, it’s important to note that Instagram’s verification process is rigorous and not everyone may be eligible.
To increase your chances of success, make sure your account is complete, active, and in compliance with Instagram’s guidelines.
Finally, getting verified on Instagram can be a game-changer for your profile, increasing your credibility and visibility on the platform.
While the verification process can be challenging, following these easy steps can improve your chances of success.
Remember to keep your account active and engaging, and stay true to your brand or identity.
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