How to get your brand’s Instagram account verified
On Instagram, a blue checkmark automatically signifies a level of authority that can quickly translate to increased visibility. That's why every brand (and every influencer) on the platform wants to have one! But the blue checkmark is notoriously difficult to attain—just like any good status symbol should be.
What can brands do to increase their chances? We caught up with a Facebook representative to get tips.
First, here are some of the considerations that Facebook (which owns Instagram) uses to determine whether a brand should be verified:
Notability, specifically in the form of press releases (from your brand) and articles (about your brand)
A Wikipedia article (Does your brand qualify for a Wikipedia article? Find out!)
Bloomberg Business Registration
Substantial follower count (although this is ultimately considered a plus but not a necessity)
And here are her recommended actions for brands looking to improve their chances:
Focus energy on your Facebook Page.
If you can get verified on Facebook, you can get verified on Instagram. And since there are more FB users than IG users, your chances are ultimately better there. Try to build your followership by (a) running Page like ads, and (b) engaging with Groups, especially those associated with special interests.
Be strategic about when you submit your IG verification request
Ideally, you want to wait until a launch or marketing moment where there will be more PR/Articles written about your brand
Is Getting Instagram Verified Worth It?
All of the above probably sounds like a lot of work, especially if you feel your brand doesn't quite check all of the boxes. But getting verified is definitely worth the effort. That little blue checkmark really does convey authenticity, which will help you with your digital branding efforts.
Instead of making verification the goal, though, make it a social strategic component of a broader brand visibility campaign. That way, when you finally do get verified, you'll have a plan for leveraging that increased credibility toward other marketing goals.
