Are you looking to get your Instagram account verified? The blue checkmark that appears next to a user's name indicates that the account is authentic and belongs to the person or organization it represents. While it may seem like only celebrities and well-known brands can obtain this verification, anyone can apply for it.

In this article, we will discuss what the Instagram verified tag is, who can get verified, and how to acquire the coveted blue checkmark.

What’s the Instagram verified tag?

The Instagram verification checkmark is basically a way to recognize official accounts. The mark means the account truly belongs to the organization or person it represents, be it a musician, a charity, or a company, among others.

You might have seen these badges around. They're meant to indicate that the respective accounts are trustworthy, and they're usually given to official entities.

Their role is to make authentic accounts stand out in the crowd, especially if they’re likely to be impersonated.

The good news is you don’t necessarily have to be a world-renowned celebrity to get the badge.

Who can get verified on Instagram?

The truth is anyone is free to request such a badge on Instagram. But then, the social network is quite picky about it, even if you already have such a badge on other networks.

According to Instagram’s help page, only accounts that are likely to be impersonated will get a verified badge. But then, you may find people with less than 5,000 followers getting verified, people who you’ve never heard about before.

There are a few criteria your account should meet:

  • It must be authentic, rather than a fan account.
  • It must be unique.
  • Private accounts don't qualify for verification.
  • Your account needs to be notable, and this is the part where everything can become subjective.

How to get verified on Instagram

Applying for the blue badge on Instagram is fairly simple, and anyone can do it. Here are the steps:

  • Go to the settings of your account.
  • Find the account tab and go in there.
  • You’ll find a link to request verification.
  • Complete the form, which will request some personal details, such as your full name.
  • Submit evidence, such as a passport or perhaps an official business document, depending on whether you seek verification for a personal account or an organization.
  • Send the application.

The reply is given once the application has been reviewed and will pop up in your notifications. Getting a reply may take up to a month. Even if you get a negative reply, there won’t be further details regarding the rejection.

Furthermore, "Meta Verified", a paid verification service, is currently being tested by Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. Users can obtain a verified badge, prioritized customer support, increased visibility, and other benefits for a monthly fee of $11.99 on the web or $14.99 on mobile. To authenticate their identity, users must provide government IDs, and the service includes measures to prevent fake accounts. Currently available in Australia and New Zealand, "Meta Verified" plans to expand its services to other countries in the near future.

Tips to get verified on Instagram

  • You’re more likely to be accepted if you’ve been impersonated. For this reason, it’s not unusual for people to ask their friends to create impersonating accounts of themselves.
  • You’ll also need a decent database of followers. You’re more likely to be accepted if you have 100,000 followers than if you have 1,000 people looking at your feed.
  • Avoid linking to other platforms in your bio, even if it’s official networks like YouTube or Twitter. Stay away from such links.
  • Find the perfect time to apply. If you’re in the news for one thing or another, be it a new book published or a new song released, that’s the right time to seek verification.
  • More searches for your name will add to your chances to get verified, so ask all of your friends to search for you on Instagram.
  • Make sure everything is complete in your profile. While Instagram only asks for a post, a profile picture, and a light bio, you should focus on every slot that can be filled.
  • To be more successful, it might be useful to work with an agency or a professional who can take care of everything for you.
  • Last, but not least, even if you get turned down, you can apply again in about a month. Work harder and apply again. The actual application is free and will only cost you 10 minutes of your time.

Final words

Getting your Instagram account verified is not an easy feat, but it's definitely worth pursuing if you want to establish trust with your followers and show that your account is authentic. Remember that even if you get turned down initially, you can always try again after a month. Keep working hard on growing your followers and improving your profile until you meet all of Instagram's criteria for verification. With these tips in mind, you'll be one step closer to acquiring the coveted blue checkmark.