In a world of over 1 billion Instagram users, securing that elusive blue checkmark — the Instagram verification badge — is still the holy grail for businesses, creators, and public figures. You’ve seen it next to your favorite influencers, celebrities, and major brands, but how do you get one for yourself or your brand? Although Instagram has demystified the process over the years, the verification badge still holds significant value and is a mark of credibility and authenticity. (And that you’re a natural person.)
Social media requires that symbol. With so many dissenting voices, validity has its place — followers look for it. People want to see that blue checkmark and know your account is legit.
So, what’s the current process, and why should you care about it?
Perception of Authority and Credibility
The blue checkmark acts as a digital stamp of authenticity, indicating that Instagram or other platforms have verified the account holder’s identity. This verification signals that the person is who they claim to be, whether they’re a public figure, influencer, or brand. As a result, followers are more likely to trust their content because it feels legitimate. It’s the same reason people tend to trust doctors in lab coats or journalists with press badges — symbols of credibility make a difference.
The check mark says: “This person has passed a verification process, so their identity and status are legitimate.” For people scrolling through the sea of content online, it offers a quick, visual shortcut to identifying which accounts are trustworthy or authoritative.
Influencers Represent “Real” People
Influencers, by nature, often share personal stories, behind-the-scenes content, and authentic experiences. This transparency creates a sense of connection and relatability. When influencers recommend products or services, followers trust that the person has genuine experiences with those brands, making their recommendations feel more reliable than faceless ads.
Unlike traditional celebrities, influencers often interact with their followers directly, responding to comments and DMs and sharing real-life updates. This builds a two-way relationship and breeds trust and loyalty over time because followers feel like they “know” the content creator behind the content.
Social Proof and Popularity
The blue checkmark also signals social proof — basically, the idea that if a person or brand has earned the checkmark, they must have achieved a certain level of success or notoriety. People tend to trust famous or widely followed people because they assume that if many others are following and engaging with this account, it must be worth following.
Seeing an influencer or brand with millions of followers and a blue checkmark subconsciously tells users that this person or entity is respected, established, and worthy of attention. By consuming their content, followers may feel they’re aligning with someone important or knowledgeable.
Trust in the Algorithm
There’s an implicit trust that platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter have vetted blue-checkmarked accounts. People assume that if the platform has taken the step to verify someone, that person is less likely to be a scammer, bot, or troll account. That little blue check is a comforting seal of approval in a digital world where fake accounts, misinformation, and scams are rampant.
Influencers Have a Reputation to Maintain
Influencers with blue checkmarks are often more invested in their personal brand and reputation. They have much more to lose than a random account without verification, which holds them accountable for what they say or promote. This accountability makes their recommendations, collaborations, and partnerships feel more authentic because they’re putting their personal reputation on the line. This, in turn, builds a sense of trust with their followers.
Many influencers have built communities where followers feel part of a larger group that shares common interests or values. Influencers foster a sense of belonging by consistently engaging with their audience through Instagram Reels and Instagram Stories, answering questions, or creating content that resonates with their niche. People are much more likely to trust someone genuinely invested in their community, primarily if that influencer engages directly with their followers.
Relatability vs. Traditional Advertising
Traditional advertising often feels corporate, impersonal, and purely driven by sales. On the other hand, influencers — whether verified or not — are seen as real people living everyday lives, offering relatable recommendations, not some hackneyed form of social media management gone wrong. When a content creator recommends a product, it feels like getting advice from a trusted friend rather than a faceless corporation. Even though many influencers are paid for these promotions, their ability to weave the product naturally into their content makes it feel less commercial and more genuine. So, yeah, be a real person.
What’s the Verified Badge?
The blue checkmark that appears next to an Instagram handle signifies that the account is authentic and belongs to a public figure, brand, or notable entity. It’s not just a vanity symbol — this badge helps differentiate official accounts from impersonators or fan pages. This verification ensures trust and boosts credibility, which can lead to increased engagement, customer trust, and — ultimately — follower count growth.
The blue check still means social proof. It tells users your brand is legitimate and protects you from copycat accounts. Verified accounts are more likely to be trusted by new followers, partners, and customers, so many want it.
Updated Eligibility Requirements for Verification
Instagram’s requirements for getting verified haven’t changed drastically, but there are some new nuances that social media managers, content creators, and businesses should keep in mind:
- Authentic: Your account must represent a real person, registered business, or entity. Personal pages, parody accounts, or general meme accounts won’t qualify. Your Instagram presence matters, ok?
- Unique: Instagram only verifies one account per person or business, except for language-specific accounts. Fan pages, meme accounts, and feature accounts don’t get verified.
- Complete: You must have a public profile with a bio, profile photo, and at least one post. Instagram won’t verify empty accounts or those that rarely post.
- Notable: The toughest criterion, your account must represent a well-known, highly searched-for person, brand, or entity. Instagram checks public interest and media coverage in mainstream news outlets (paid content doesn’t count).
Instagram’s Verification Process in 2024
Instagram has made it easier to request verification, but securing the badge still requires proof of notability. Here’s the updated step-by-step process for applying:
- Go to Your Profile Settings: Open the Instagram app, go to your profile, and tap the three-line menu in the top-right corner. From there, navigate to Settings.
- Request Verification: In the Account settings, select Request Verification.
- Fill Out the Form:
- Enter your full name and provide a form of ID, such as a passport, driver’s license, or official business documentation.
- Select your category (e.g., fashion, sports, news/media), and if applicable, describe your target audience and any notable names you’re known by.
- Submit Supporting Links: If you have articles, news coverage, or other online proof of your notability, add them. This can include links to your website, other verified social media accounts, or significant press mentions.
- Submit: Once completed, hit submit and wait for Instagram to review your application.
Instagram usually responds within 30 days. If you’re rejected, you can reapply after 30 days.
Why Instagram Verification Matters More Than Ever
In 2024, social media credibility is king, especially for businesses and influencers. The blue checkmark provides trust that enhances brand recognition and separates you from the noise.
- Trust & Credibility: Verified accounts get instant credibility, making them more attractive to followers, brands, and advertisers. When users see that blue check, they know they’re dealing with the real deal, which can lead to increased engagement and customer loyalty.
- Fewer Imposters: Verification protects your brand from impersonators. It’s a security feature as much as a status symbol, ensuring no one else can use your identity to mislead others or tarnish your brand.
- Business Growth: For small businesses, a verified account can lead to partnerships, sponsorships, and collaborations. It signals to other brands that you’re a serious player in the game.
Tips for Increasing Your Chances of Being Verified
- Boost Your Notability Outside Instagram: You won’t get verified solely based on your Instagram content. Instagram wants to see external media coverage and public interest.
- Get featured in press outlets, podcasts, or interviews.
- Participate in notable industry events or collaborations.
- Ensure your business is listed in credible news sources or niche industry publications.
- Grow Your Organic Following: Instagram doesn’t specify a minimum number of followers for verification, but having a large, engaged audience helps prove your notability.
- Use hashtags, geotags, and mentions to increase your discoverability.
- Post content that resonates with your audience, and leverage Instagram’s features like Reels, Stories, and Lives to boost engagement.
- Leverage Instagram Automation: Use tools like Manychat to automate engagement, improve customer interactions, and drive growth. Automated responses, comments, and DMs can help you boost engagement rates without stretching your resources thin. Remember, Instagram loves active accounts that spark conversation.
- Keep Your Account Active and Compliant: You gotta be consistently active to maintain the blue checkmark. Avoid violating Instagram’s community guidelines, and keep your profile public. Inactivity or rule-breaking can cause Instagram to revoke your verification badge.
- Monitor for Imposters: Actively report any fake accounts trying to impersonate you. Instagram takes this seriously and can bolster your case for verification if you demonstrate a need for protection against impersonators.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Don’t buy followers or fake engagement. Instagram frowns on buying followers or paying for likes and comments. Artificially inflating your stats won’t help your case for verification — in fact, it might penalize your account.
If you aim to get that coveted blue checkmark on Instagram, buying fake followers is one of the worst moves you can make. While it might seem easy to boost your numbers, it could seriously backfire when getting verified.
Instagram Prioritizes Authenticity
Instagram’s verification process is all about authenticity. The platform wants to ensure that accounts with the blue checkmark are legitimate and trustworthy. Buying fake followers — usually bots or inactive accounts — signals to Instagram that your account isn’t growing organically. Fake followers don’t engage with your content, which makes it painfully obvious to Instagram’s algorithms that your audience isn’t real. Since authenticity is key, buying fake followers directly undermines that.
Low Engagement Hurts Your Chances
Instagram’s verification isn’t just about the number of followers; it’s also about how engaged those followers are. You could buy thousands of followers, but they won’t like, comment, or share your posts if they’re fake. This results in a low engagement rate, which is a red flag. Instagram monitors engagement closely, and a poor ratio of followers to engagement makes it clear that your audience isn’t real. Essentially, you’re signaling to Instagram that you’re inflating your numbers artificially, which decreases your chances of getting verified.
It Violates Instagram’s Rules
Buying followers isn’t just a bad strategy; it’s also against Instagram’s Terms of Service. The platform explicitly forbids purchasing followers or using bots to boost metrics. If Instagram detects that you’ve bought followers, they could penalize you by removing the fake accounts, shadowbanning you (making your content harder to find), or, in extreme cases, even banning your account entirely. When you’re applying for verification, Instagram evaluates whether you follow their guidelines, and breaking the rules can automatically reject your application.
Fake Followers Damage Credibility
In addition to violating Instagram’s rules, having fake followers damages your social credibility. People can tell when an account has inflated numbers — if you have 20,000 followers but only 20 likes on each post, it’s a dead giveaway. Real followers and potential customers will notice, and your reputation could be hit. If Instagram thinks your account looks suspicious, they’re less likely to award you the verification badge.
Verification Focuses on Notability
Instagram’s verification process considers how notable you or your brand is. This means they’re looking for proof that you’re a public figure, such as mentions in credible media outlets or remarkable achievements. Having fake followers won’t help with that. Instagram focuses on genuine influence — something you can’t fake with bots.
Focus on Organic Growth
Instead of buying followers, focus on building a real, engaged community. Create quality content, interact with your followers, and use Instagram’s tools like Stories and Reels to connect authentically. The more engaged your real audience is, the more likely Instagram will see you as a credible candidate for verification.
- Don’t Over-Promise: It’s tempting to pay someone to “guarantee” verification, but third-party services claiming to get you verified are against Instagram’s terms and can result in penalties or bans.
- Don’t Reapply Too Soon: If your verification request is denied, wait 30 days before trying again. Reapplying too soon can damage your chances and get flagged by Instagram.
Instagram verification remains a coveted symbol of trust and credibility that can boost your brand’s growth and recognition. While Instagram has streamlined the process, it’s still selective. Building your presence on and off the platform, staying active, and following the rules are critical to increasing your chances of securing that coveted blue checkmark.
Whether you’re a small business, an emerging influencer, or an established brand, Instagram verification can help set you apart. So take the steps outlined above, stay persistent, and build your case for why you deserve to be Instagram-verified. But, as said frequently, do not buy fake followers. It won’t help you, ever.
