Get your Instagram verified badge with this step-by-step guide

Instagram provides a "verified badge" to public figures, celebrities and brands to help its users identify authentic accounts. You have probably seen plenty of these "blue ticks" next to an account name on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube (grey, in this case).

What is an Instagram verified badge?

Instagram verified badges are blue ticks next to an account's name. These accounts usually belong to well-known personalities, artists, brands and institutions.

Instagram says that these verification badges are only for authenticity and do not indicate importance or authority. On its blog, Instagram wrote, "The verified badge is a tool to help people find the real accounts of public figures and brands, and it means we verified this is a notable and authentic Instagram account. A verified badge is not a symbol to show importance, authority, or subject matter expertise."

For example, here is Chelsea FC's profile showcasing the Instagram verified badge.

Who can get verified on Instagram?

Verified badges are mostly given to public figures, celebrities and brands because these accounts are the most likely to be impersonated by unwanted entities. In YouTube's case, the verification badge is only given to channels that have more than 100,000 subscribers.

However, anyone can request a verified badge on Instagram. Please note that even though you can request verification, that does not mean you are guaranteed to get the coveted blue tick. As Instagram notes, "While many public figures verify their account on Instagram, not all public figures have verified badges."

What are the eligibility requirements to get Instagram verified?

Instagram says that it looks at several factors when evaluating Instagram accounts to determine if they meet the verification criteria. Your account must also adhere to Instagram’s Community Guidelines and Terms of Use.

Other than that, your account also needs to be:

• Authentic: Your account should belong to a real person, business, brand or entity.
• Public: Private Instagram accounts are not eligible for verification.
• Complete: Your profile should have a bio and photo, and you must be active on the platform. We have a whole guide on how to create an Instagram business profile if you need to get started.
• Unique: Your account must be the only one representing your unique self or business. Instagram does not verify multiple accounts for the same person or business. Also, general interest accounts are not eligible, only individuals or businesses.
• Notable: Your account must represent a publicly known, highly-searched person or business that has been featured in multiple, authentic news sources. Paid or sponsored media sources do not count.

How to get Instagram verified?

1. Open your Instagram account and log in
2. Go to your profile and tap on the menu in the top right corner
3. Go to Settings.
4. Tap Account, then tap Request Verification.
5. Enter your full name and then upload the documents required to verify your identification such as photo ID and other documents.
6. Once done, tap on "Submit."
7. You have now successfully requested to be Instagram verified.

After your request has been sent, you may need to wait for a while to know if your request have been approved. You will get a notification from Instagram on the status of your request within 30 days or so. If your request gets denied, you can re-apply again after a 30 day waiting period.