If you've ever noticed the blue checkmark next to an Instagram profile and were jealous that you don't have one, you're not alone. This mark signifies prestigious accounts that are deserving of special status on the platform. But how can you get verified on Instagram?We'll walk you through what Instagram verification is, dish out some advice to help you get verified on Instagram, and explore some of the roadblocks to doing so.

What Is Instagram Verification?

Similar to verification on Twitter, Instagram uses a blue checkmark icon to signify a Verified account. You'll see these appear next to account names on their pages, as well as in search results.

Tom Cruise Verified Instagram Page

This verified check means that Instagram has confirmed the identity of the account, so you know it's not fake. Phony or fan accounts often pop up for public figures, and verification helps make sure you don't fall for fake Instagram accounts.

It's important to note that verification is not an endorsement. Instagram does not use the check to say that it approves of the account or thinks you should follow it; the only meaning is that people with blue checkmarks are who they say they are.

How to Get Verified on Instagram

Now that you know what Instagram verification is, how do you get verified yourself?

As you might imagine, getting verified on Instagram is not easy. For a long time, you had no way to request verification of your account; Instagram decided who to verify on its own accord. Nowadays, you can request Instagram verification if you think your account deserves it.

To request verification on Instagram, open the Instagram app, then visit your profile by tapping your profile icon in the bottom-right corner. Tap the three-bar Menu button in the top-right, then you'll see Settings in the list of options.

Next, choose Account, followed by the Request verification option.

This page is broken into steps. First, you'll need to enter your full name and upload a picture of your government-issued ID (like a driver's license or passport). Next, you'll need to confirm that your account is notable by adding information about your niche and audience. Finally, there's a section to submit links to articles, social media accounts, and similar that show your account has public interest.

Once you've filled everything out, tap Submit. You'll then need to wait for Instagram to review the request and make a decision; this may take up to 30 days. You'll see a notification in your Activity panel (represented as a heart) with the results. If it's denied, you can try again in 30 days.

What Kinds of Accounts Does Instagram Verify?

Instagram's verification support page explains the criteria for verified accounts. In addition to following the rules, your account must be:

  • Authentic: Your account must be for a real person or entity.
  • Unique: The account can't be a duplicate or a generic meme page.
  • Complete: To receive verification, your Instagram account should be public and must have a profile photo and bio. You should also post to it regularly.
  • Notable: Instagram says that "Your account must represent a well-known, highly searched-for person, brand, or entity."

When you apply for verification, Instagram provides a list of industries it typically verifies accounts in. These are:

  • News/media
  • Sports
  • Government and politics
  • Music
  • Fashion
  • Entertainment
  • Digital creator/blogger/influencer
  • Gamer
  • Global business/brand/organization
  • Other

Verification isn't a sure thing. Even accounts with tens of thousands of followers can remain unverified if they don't represent a public figure. And not everyone who's a moderately well-known figure (like a streamer or YouTuber) is verified on the platform.

Conversely, the Kraft Dressing account is verified despite having under 1,000 followers.

How to Improve Your Chances at Instagram Verification

In all likelihood, if it's not already, you aren't going to have your account verified. Even if you build a significant following on Instagram, the site says that it "review accounts that are featured in multiple news sources" and doesn't consider sponsored media content. So if you don't have news organizations writing about you organically, you aren't notable enough for Instagram verification.

Just because you request verification doesn't mean Instagram will grant it. And if you don't fall into any of the categories discussed above, you should probably save yourself time and disappointment by not requesting Instagram verification.

That said, if you think your account has the potential to be verified, here are some tips for improving your chances.

Build Up Your Online Profile Elsewhere

If your profile is for a recognizable person or brand, it should be easy to find online outside of Instagram.

Google your name and see what comes up. If you don't have an active Twitter profile, website, or other ways to communicate with your fanbase, get those pages set up. You could also create a successful YouTube channel packed with videos that gain some traffic.

Make sure you link to these other pages in your Instagram profile, and link to your Instagram from those other sites, to build trust about your identity.

Don't Get Famous From Instagram

This is similar to the above point and sounds a little strange, but consider Instagram's intentions with verification. It wants to make sure that accounts likely to be impersonated are verified, so people know who the real one is.

Thus, if you've built your online fame through Instagram, it's unlikely that other accounts will come up when you search for your name. But if you're a respected brand also known from other sites and services, Instagram may see your profile as worth verifying so people are sure it's you.

It's difficult to place yourself in a position where you're at risk of being impersonated, but try to do so if possible. For instance, if your brand recommends products, a fake account may pop up to spam unsuspecting people with junky links.

Keep Your Account Active

Instagram isn't going to verify inactive accounts. With this in mind, make sure you use the service often—not just posting your own photos, but also responding to comments, liking pictures on other accounts, and taking advantage of hashtags.

Don't forget to engage with other parts of Instagram, either; coming up with a viral Instagram Reel could help increase your following.

Don't Engage in Shady Behavior

This should go without saying, but don't do anything against the rules in your quest for Instagram verification. Don't pay for fake followers through illegitimate services or engage in "follow for follow" schemes. Focus on gaining Instagram followers in honest ways.

The company says that it could take action against your account if you give false information during the verification process, so don't try to pull a fast one.

Go Through an Agency

You can't purchase an Instagram verified badge. So short of becoming famous, your only real option is to work with a digital agency to submit a verification request. This can expedite the process, but you'll probably still get denied unless you're a notable public figure.

You may also find people that claim to know someone who works at Instagram, who can get you verified for a fee. However, taking someone up on such an offer is risky, as there's zero guarantees that it's legitimate and you'll be out a lot of money if it turns out to be fake. Instagram also states that it can disable your account if you "attempt to verify your account through a third party." Thus, it's not worth it.

Is a Verified Instagram Account Worth Having?

As you can tell from the above, getting verified on Instagram is a lot of work. Unless you're so famous that Instagram will verify you just for being you, it's not attainable for most people even with the option to request it.

It will take time and effort to build yourself up to the status required. And even if you want to take a "shortcut" using an agency, there's no guarantee that your money will get you anywhere if you aren't already popular.

For the average Instagram user, verification isn't worth it anyway. If you don't suffer from copycat accounts and don't make a living off your online presence, verification for bragging rights is pointless. Brands who want to use social media to grow their reach have more reason to pursue verification, but it's still a tough road.

So our advice is to build an online presence big enough to justify getting verified. But unless and until that happens, don't worry about your lack of a blue tick. To show your account is legitimate, you can link to it from your own website or another source.