Instagram facilitates access to verified account requests for new VIPs; if you’re “not everyone” here’s how to do it

The blue verified badge (✓) is a way for you to know that the account you are interacting with is the authentic presence of a notable public figure, celebrity, brand or entity. Faced with so many fake profiles, account theft and other problems, Instagram has implemented changes and now allows its users to request the badge.

To receive the verified badge, an account must comply with Instagram’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. Therefore, it is not safe to say that the social network “opened account verification for everyone” .

Step by step to request verification on Instagram

Time required:  4 minutes.

The process is simple, to access the verification request form, do the following:

1. 1. Go to the profile you want to verify
2. Open Instagram and be logged in with the account you want to request the verification badge;
3. 2. Go to the settings menu
4. Click on the icon with the three dashes at the top right of the screen and then access the “Settings” menu
5. 3. Go to the option to request verification
6. After opening the settings menu, select the “Account” option and then the “Request verification” option;480
7. 4. Complete the verification questionnaire
8. It’s time to fill in the form with your authenticity data. You will need to present your identification documents or those of your company, if it is a business account. In addition, it is also necessary to fill in data that confirms its notability on the platform. In this part it is also possible to use links with materials produced to increase your chances of being approved;
9. 

1. 5. Finalize the process
2. After filling out all the requested information, just click send and wait for Instagram’s response.

Submitting a verification request does not guarantee that your account will be verified. Once reviewed, you will receive a notification confirming or declining in the “Notifications” tab. Instagram reminds you that it will never ask for payment to verify an account or contact you to request confirmation of your order.

What your account needs to be verified on Instagram

Now, the million dollar question: what are the requirements to apply?

According to the platform, its analysts will look at a number of factors when evaluating Instagram accounts to determine whether they: are in the public interest and meet internal verification criteria. In addition to following Instagram’s Terms of Service and Community Guidelines, a candidate account for verification must also be:

1. Authentic: Must represent a real person, business, or registered entity.
2. Exclusive: Must be the exclusive presence of the person or company it represents.
3. Complete: must be public and have a profile picture, biography and at least one post.
4. Notable: must represent a known and researched person, brand or entity. “We analyzed the accounts presented in various news sources and did not consider paid or promotional content as sources for analysis”, they explain.*Instagram does not specify a minimum number of followers to define “notable”. 

What your account cannot have at all

Your profile cannot contain “add me” links to other social networks, and only one account per person or company can be verified, with exceptions for language-specific accounts. If the request is denied, you can submit a new request after 30 days.

If you provide false or misleading information during the verification process, Instagram may remove your badge and take further steps to delete your account. The social network also does not verify general interest accounts, eg @puppymemes.

Instagram may remove the badge or disable your account if you:

1. Listing, transferring or selling your verified badge (changing username).
2. Use your profile picture, bio or name section to promote other services.
3. Trying to verify your account through a third party (the social network did not detail this).

Instagram suggests that if your account doesn’t earn a verified badge, there are other ways to let people know you’re you. For example, just link your Instagram account to your official website, Facebook page, YouTube or Twitter account (and then you lose the chance of the account being verified, with links to other social media).

Page verified on Facebook is not valid on Instagram

Having a verification badge on Facebook does not imply immediate certification on Instagram. “Not all Facebook Pages with verified badges received the same badge on their Instagram accounts. Currently, only Instagram accounts that are highly likely to be impersonated have verified badges,” again.