How to get verified on Instagram

0 Comments

In weekly Q+A Thursday on my Instagram Story, someone asked about how to get verified.

Instagram has always been super quiet around how this process works but now…drum roll please… you can actually apply to be verified in the app itself!

How to request a verification badge:

  1. Log into the account you’re requesting a badge for.
  2. Open your profile and tap the button with three lines in the top-right corner of the screen. This will open the sidebar menu where you can access your Instagram settings (at the bottom).
  3. Once you’re inside your Instagram settings, scroll down and tap on the Request Verification option.
  4. Enter your full name, nickname, category, and then attach a government issued form of identification.
  5. Press send!

***After you send it, DM me @SophiaParra to let me know! I’d love to hear who’s going after that badge!**

Here are Instagram’s requirements:

  1. Your account must represent a real person, registered business, or entity.
  2. Your account must be the unique presence of the person or business it represents. This means that if your business has multiple accounts on Instagram, only one can be verified.

    Instagram also states that they don’t give verified badges to general interest accounts (they use the example of “@puppymemes”). But… I’ve seen a few. So clearly there are exceptions to every rule.
  3. Your account must be public, have an Instagram bio, profile photo, and at least one post. Instagram also states that your profile can’t contain “add me” links to other social media accounts.
  4. Finally — and this is the tricky part — your account must represent a well-known, highly searched for person, brand, or entity. They look for accounts that are “featured in multiple news sources,” and they state that they don’t consider paid or promotional content.

    And yet, there is not information around how much press is required for someone to be “notable”.
  5. And finally, according to their terms and conditions, Instagram favors accounts that have a high likelihood of being impersonated.

What happens after you apply?

  1. Once your request is reviewed, you’ll receive a notification letting you know if your account has been verified or not.
  2. If your request is denied, you have to wait 30 days before submitting again. If your request is granted, your verified badge will appear on your account right away.

And that’s it!

If you don’t think you’d make the cut yet, you can either give it a go and hope for the best! Or, take steps to meet all of Instagram’s requirements. (Pitch yourself to podcasts and guest bloggers, get some outside exposure. Not just for an Instagram badge, but for your business!)

Alright gang, that’s a wrap on this week!

Got questions? DM me on Instagram! Don’t forget that I hold Q+A Thursday in my Instagram Story every Thursday, too!

See ya next week,

Sophia

PS: Have you tried WHAT THE HECK TO POST? It’s my subscription where I tell coaches, like you, what to post, how to post, and when to post it so you’re using social media strategically and consistently. This helps you grow, increase engagement, and demonstrate your value as a coach. Try it free by clicking here!