Instagram verification has become an increasingly sought-after status symbol. Why? Verified accounts have a 30% higher engagement rate.
As an agency social media manager, you navigate this on behalf of your clients. This guide dives deep into the intricacies of Instagram verification. We’ll shed light on your agency's pivotal role in this pursuit.
Have you considered introducing verification to your clients or want to streamline the process? We’ve got you covered. This guide will ease any potential headaches and help you pave the way to Instagram verification success.
This ultimate guide on how to get verified on Instagram will cover:
Let’s get started.
Instagram verification is a trust signal to the platform's vast user base. It confirms that an account is genuine and belongs to the person or entity it claims to represent. It’s marked by a white check inside a blue badge.
This digital badge of authenticity holds immense value in an era when social media is a powerful tool for establishing and expanding one's online presence.
While Instagram's verification criteria have evolved, the underlying principle remains. Verification distinguishes between legitimate accounts and impersonators, counterfeit profiles, or fan pages. It’s designed to enhance the user experience on the platform.
Being verified on Instagram shows authenticity and credibility. But only some are eligible for the coveted blue badge. Understanding the criteria for eligibility is essential before embarking on the journey to Instagram verification.
Any account seeking verification must abide by Instagram’s Terms of Use and Community Guidelines. Your account must be authentic, unique, public, and notable. Your client must belong to one of these categories:
The critical factor across all these categories is recognizability. Instagram verifies accounts at risk of being impersonated or those with a significant following.
As an agency social media manager, you play a pivotal role in helping your clients navigate the verification process. Your expertise and guidance can significantly enhance their chances of acceptance.
Here's an overview of your key responsibilities.
With a proactive approach, your agency identifies clients who meet Instagram's verification criteria before they express interest.
This involves two main steps. First, conduct a comprehensive assessment of a client's online presence. Second, look at their follower count, engagement rates, and alignment with Instagram's verification criteria. This basic data will help determine if they are a good candidate.
The reactive approach focuses on assisting clients who desire to be verified. Assess their eligibility. Then work with them to prepare for the verification process. Provide clients with personalised guidance based on their goals and existing online presence.
Make sure your clients know the value of being verified on Instagram verification. Instagram verification goes beyond being a mere status symbol. It signifies credibility, trustworthiness, and authenticity online.
Share with them these four benefits.
Your clients need to know verification is a strategic move to bolster their online presence and influence. Once they see these benefits, they’ll be on board. It’s your role to inspire your clients to pursue Instagram verification.
Providing the necessary documentation is a critical step to being verified. This is to prove the authenticity of your client's account. As an agency, your job is to guide clients through this documentation phase.
To succeed in this, remember these four things.
So your client's application for Instagram verification is complete. Now it’s time to submit. Then, you need to provide post-decision support, no matter the answer. Agencies play a pivotal in both these stages.
There are three aspects to the submission process.
You’ll also need to help them navigate the post-submission waters. Here’s what to focus on.
By offering submission and post-decision support, you can help ensure a smooth verification process and maximise your client's chances of success.
Applying for verification on Instagram is simple. Here are the five steps you need to complete.
Ensure that you are logged in to the specific account for which you wish to request a verified badge. To access your profile, tap on your picture in the Instagram app's bottom right corner.
Once on your profile, tap the hamburger icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right, then tap Settings and Privacy.
Right below For professionals, tap Account type and tools.
Now tap Request Verification. Easy right?
At this point, you must supply details for your profile and business. This typically includes:
Once you've completed filling in the verification application details, tap the Submit button. Congratulations, your request has been successfully submitted.
As Instagram notes, even if your account is eligible for verification, it doesn’t mean you’re a lock to get approved. Instagram will notify you about the status within approximately 30 days. Be sure to check your inbox for updates. If approved, you will promptly receive the coveted Instagram verification badge.
What if your client isn’t approved? We’ll cover that in a moment.
Anyone can get verified on Instagram, but it’s no easy feat. Here are 11 tips to increase the likelihood that your client gets verified.
Purchasing a verification badge or trying to take another shortcut is against Instagram's rules. It may also lead to a permanent ban for your client. Warn your clients against scams that promise quick verification through dishonesty. The only path to verification is by following Instagram's requirements and maintaining a genuine online presence.
Streamline your client's Instagram bio by removing links to other social media profiles. This simplification creates a cleaner, more professional appearance and minimises confusion, facilitating verification. Want to link to other profiles anyway? Use a single like, like LinkTree, that houses all your important links, including social profiles.
Encourage your clients to establish a consistent online presence across social platforms. This reinforces their authenticity and credibility. By having active profiles on other platforms, your clients prove they are genuine entities with a broad digital footprint. Instagram looks for this in verification candidates. It's like building a comprehensive digital portfolio.
Help your clients create a complete and informative Instagram profile. A well-constructed bio with a clear description, contact information, and relevant keywords is crucial. It aids Instagram's verification team understand your client's identity and purpose.
Encourage your clients to prioritise producing top-notch, original Instagram content. Help them learn how to create eye-catching Stories and Reels. Consistency in style, content, and aesthetics is key. That will engage their audience and show Instagram that your client is a credible content creator.
Your client’s Instagram content matters. But so does their content on other platforms, including their website. Guide your clients in enhancing their online value by creating meaningful, valuable content. This strengthens their digital footprint and makes them more appealing for Instagram verification. Quality over quantity matters.
Emphasise the importance of growing and engaging your client's follower base. All growth should be organic. No buying followers! Instagram values authentic connections and interactions. Proper engagement increases your client's chances of verification.
Timing is crucial. Applying for verification when your client's online presence is at its peak can increase their chances of success. Seasoned accounts with consistent engagement are more likely to get verified.
Ensure your client's Instagram activities adhere to the platform's community guidelines. Avoid any violations which could jeopardise the verification process.
Honesty is the best policy. Encourage your clients to provide accurate and truthful information in their verification applications. Misrepresentation or exaggeration can lead to rejection.
The verification process may take time. Tell your clients to be patient and not be disheartened by potential delays. Consistency and quality in their online presence will pay off in the long run.
Eventually, this is the message you hope to see.
Instagram verification is a goal worth pursuing. But not everyone succeeds on their first attempt. If your client's verification request is denied, here's what to do.
Instagram verification is a valuable goal. But it’s not the only measure of success. Encourage your clients to stay committed to their online goals, regardless of the verification outcome.
Instagram verification is a powerful tool for enhancing your clients' digital presence. The coveted blue checkmark isn't just a status symbol. It’s a key to unlocking higher engagement, visibility, and growth. As an agency social media manager, your role is crucial.
Even though anyone can get verified, it’s not a guarantee. Our 11 tips will help you increase the likelihood of success. But if verification remains elusive, remember it's not the journey's end. Adapt, persist, and keep your client's goals in sight.
Now that you know how to get verified on Instagram, get started helping your client! Download our free Instagram Audit Checklist to help you cover every detail on the road to being verified. Then get Sendible’s Instagram publishing tool to simplify your workflow and get actionable insights.