How to Get Verified on Instagram

Co-authored by Ben Whitehair

Last Updated: February 3, 2023 References

Lots of people want that coveted blue check next to their Instagram handle. Unfortunately, getting verified on Instagram isn't as easy as you might think. The people at Instagram cherry-pick accounts on an individual basis, and it's not possible to request or pay for verification. However, a little dedication can do a lot to improve your chances. Make it a point to engage with other users, and stay active on other social media platforms, as well. Even if you don't manage to get verified, you'll be building your following and proving the legitimacy of your account in the process.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Improving Your Chances of Getting Verified

1
Put up content that shows you are who you say you are. Instagram only verifies profiles that they believe are operated by the individual in question (or a social media manager) and not a fan or impersonator. That means that if you want to receive that blue check, it will be necessary to post things that prove your account actually belongs to you, like selfies, pictures of your family or pets, and other personal content.^{[1]
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- Anyone can share a generic landscape photo or repost a meme, so try to focus on original content that could only have come from you.
- Linking to your other social media accounts can also help show that you're the genuine article, especially if they're already verified.
2
Request verification on Facebook. Go up to the "Settings" tab on Facebook and click "General," followed by "Page Verification.” Then, hit "Get Started." You'll need to provide your phone number so that Facebook can send you a unique verification code, which you'll use to sign in. Once you do this, the people in charge will get to work processing your request.^{[2]
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- Just like on Instagram, it's important to have plenty of authentic, personal content on your Facebook profile to show that it's the real deal.
- Getting your personal or company account verified on Facebook can give you a huge boost towards securing Instagram verification.
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3
Gain popularity on other social media platforms. Take steps to get your name known outside of Instagram. If you're a performer, for instance, you might upload videos of yourself in action to YouTube, then use Twitter to promote upcoming shows and appearances. The more recognizable you or your brand are elsewhere, the more likely it is that that recognition will pay off with Instagram verification.^{[3]
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- Not just anyone can get verified on Instagram. Typically, you'll have to have either celebrity status or a massive following in order to even be considered.^{[4]
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- Most companies also have to be relatively well-known in order to be approved for verification. If you represent a company, try posting shareable content, like viral ads promo codes for ongoing sales, to help bolster your image on social media.
4
Ask a contact at Instagram to verify your account. If you happen to have a friend or family member that works for Instagram, it may be possible to have them hook you up with verification status as a personal favor. They'll technically be going against company regulations to help you out, so make sure you ask nicely or make it worth their while in some other way.^{[5]
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- If you don't know the person well enough to make requests, consider going the “black market” route by bribing them with a few dollars in return for pushing the button.^{[6]
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- A publicist or digital agency managing your social media affairs might also be able to negotiate for verification on your behalf.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Building Your Following

1
Use popular hashtags. Hashtags are one of the main ways people browse the content on Instagram. Loading your posts with well-known hashtags makes it easy for other users to find them. If they like what they see, they may decide to give you a follow.^{[7]
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- Some of the most commonly-used hashtags on Instagram include things like #instagood, #photooftheday, #ootd (outfit of the day), and #fitspo, as well as more general tags such as #love, #travel, #friends, and #adventure.
- Throw out hashtags related to your personal or company brand. If you're a comedian, for example, you might use hashtags referencing terms from the comedy scene.
- Pay attention to what's trending. People often use hashtags to discuss pop culture and current events.
2
Interact with other users frequently. Being active on other people's accounts is a virtually surefire method of gaining more followers yourself. Try liking random photos you stumble upon by clicking on popular hashtags, and leave thoughtful or encouraging comments on posts from high-profile users. Making yourself visible may cause those users' followers to take notice.^{[8]
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- Avoid leaving comments that sound selfish or desperate. Saying things like, "Follow me back!" will annoy people in a hurry. Instead, try posting something related to the picture or video you're looking at, like “Your cat is adorable. I have two calicos myself!"
3
Promote your Instagram profile on other social media accounts. If you're present on other platforms, link these up with your Instagram page. You can cross-post your Instagram photos on Facebook and Twitter, for instance, or drop links to your Instagram profile in the “About Me” section of these apps with along with a request that your friends check you out there.^{[9]
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- Make some of your content Instagram-exclusive and use your other social media profiles to tease new posts—your may not see the need to follow you on Instagram if they can already see everything you post on Twitter.
4
Post new photos and videos between 11am-1pm and 7-9pm. Lunch time and late evening are considered the “golden hours” when it comes to delivering new content to your followers. Research has shown that posts made during these times tend to accumulate the highest number of likes and shares, as this is when the majority of users are most active.^{[10]
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- Be sure to consider your particular time zone before hitting the “Share” button. Waking, working, and sleeping hours may be slightly different, depending on where you live.
- Posts made during the “dead hours” outside 11am and 9pm are less likely to attract attention.
5
Work hashtags into your bio to hook new followers. One of the simplest ways to get more eyes on your bio is to incorporate a few choice hashtags. That way, your profile will show up more often when users search those particular hashtags. As with your normal posts, the more general or popular the tags, the better.^{[11]
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- Think of hashtags as a ready-made marketing device. For example, if you live in New York City and you like to cook, your bio might say something like, "Renegade sous-chef based in #NYC and specializing in #comfortfood and #fusion #cuisine."

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Avoiding Negative Practices

1
Resist the temptation to buy followers. Certain sites allow users to purchase packages of phony followers to instantly increase their perceived audience. However, the people at Instagram responsible for verifying profiles can easily tell which followers are real and which aren't. For this reason, it's best to stay away from dubious offers and focus on building your following the honest way—by putting up interesting content and making sure your posts are visible.^{[12]
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- While it may seem like a smart strategy, Instagram is more likely to deny you your much-desired blue check if they catch you taking cheap shortcuts.
2
Delete spam comments. New and automated accounts sometimes leave token comments on other user's posts in an effort to get likes, comments, or follows in return. Too many of these comments might end up reflecting poorly on you, as they make it look like you're resorted to buying followers or are happy with any attention you can get. If you notice any suspicious comments from accounts that are obviously fake, do yourself a favor and get rid of them right away.^{[13]
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- Spam comments tend to be generic, and may not have anything to do with the post itself. It's not uncommon for comments like, "Sweet pic!", "Nice!", or “Love it!” to show up repeatedly from the same sort of accounts.^{[14]
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- Be wary of new comments appearing on old posts. Bogus accounts often choose photos and videos to comment on at random.
3
Make sure you're following Instagram's community guidelines. If you haven't done so already, read through Instagram's user agreement carefully and avoid posting any content that violates the terms laid out there. Instagram is unlikely to extend verification status to accounts that flagrantly break the rules.^{[15]
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- Only share photos and videos you have the original rights to. Reposting copyrighted material is a major no-no, no matter how well-known you are.^{[16]
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- Avoid uploading any content that may be deemed violent, graphic, or sexually explicit.
- Make sure the comments you leave on other user's accounts are respectful, courteous, and add something to the conversation. Using inflammatory or abusive language can be enough to get your account blocked.

Expert Q&A

Question

What's the easiest way to get verified?

Ben Whitehair
Social Media Expert
Ben Whitehair is a Social Media Expert and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of TSMA Consulting. With over a decade of experience in the social media space, he specializes in leveraging social media for business and building relationships. He also focuses on social media’s impact on the entertainment industry. Ben graduated summa cum laude from The University of Colorado at Boulder with BAs in Theatre and Political Science as well as a Leadership Certificate. In addition to his work as CIO, Ben is a certified business and mindset coach and National Board Member of SAG-AFTRA. He is also a successful entrepreneur as the Co-Founder of Working.Actor, the premier business academy and coaching community for actors.

Ben Whitehair

Social Media Expert

Expert Answer

The easiest path toward verification is by having meaningful levels of press, particularly name and title pieces in magazines, newspapers, publications, etc.
Question

Can you pay to get verified?

Ben Whitehair
Social Media Expert
Ben Whitehair is a Social Media Expert and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of TSMA Consulting. With over a decade of experience in the social media space, he specializes in leveraging social media for business and building relationships. He also focuses on social media’s impact on the entertainment industry. Ben graduated summa cum laude from The University of Colorado at Boulder with BAs in Theatre and Political Science as well as a Leadership Certificate. In addition to his work as CIO, Ben is a certified business and mindset coach and National Board Member of SAG-AFTRA. He is also a successful entrepreneur as the Co-Founder of Working.Actor, the premier business academy and coaching community for actors.

Ben Whitehair

Social Media Expert

Expert Answer

No—paying to get verified is against the Instagram Terms of Service, and it's generally a scam.
Question

Can fan pages become verified?

Community Answer

As far as I know, this is impossible or very unlikely, since people may confuse a fan account with the account of the actual person.

Warnings

There's no guarantee that the executives at Instagram will choose to verify your profile, even if you are a public figure.

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