For public figures, celebrities, brands and influencers, having a verified Instagram account seems like the ideal way to establish credibility and further grow their following.
The blue check of verification immediately signals to other users that you’re a leader in your industry and are officially recognized by Instagram as such.
Instagram’s Verification Process
Initially, verification was created out of practicality. In 2014, Instagram started verifying accounts in order to reduce the risk of well-known users.
Since then, the process for verification has been secretive and highly exclusive, leaving brands wondering how to get a verified Instagram account.
For the past few years, anyone seeking verification would have to have a submission made through an agency in order to be considered for the process.
Today, says the team at ingramer, requesting verification on Instagram is easier than ever.
As of August 28, 2018, any user can submit the request themselves by going to the menu, settings, and clicking “request verification”. After providing a government issued ID and/or business documents, your request for verification will go through.
While this changes how you can apply for verification, it doesn’t make the process any easier. The secret to how Instagram decides which accounts to verify is still largely unknown.
Growing Your Instagram Without Verification
While being verified brings a stamp of approval and a sort of social exclusivity, brands and entrepreneurs don’t need a verified badge to have a strong Instagram following.
Your verification status on Instagram, or lack thereof, really holds no power if your audience isn’t paying attention to your brand.
Just as a large following doesn’t always equate to high engagement or the success of a brand, the same is true for verified accounts.
Focusing on the growth of your Instagram is much more important than figuring out how to get verified on instagram.
A brand’s ability to connect with their followers and build an attentive, responsive, and supportive following is arguably worth more than a status symbol of a verified account. A profile may have a verified badge with only a few hundred likes per photo, with virtually no comments or new followers. While getting verified can help boost your brand’s image, there are several things you can do now to grow your Instagram.
- Analyze the Quality of Your Followers
If engagement is truly one of your priorities, you should take the time to analyze the quality of your followers. Accounts with fake followers or inactive users may be able to boast a large following without having any likes, comments, and the overall engagement to show for it. This is why it’s much more important for you to attract followers that find your brand and content appealing enough to engage with on a regular basis.
- Curate Better Content
Instagram is all about visuals. If you’re not posting quality content, it’s likely that you won’t be getting as many likes and follows as you hope. Take the time to beef up your posts by hiring a content creator or learning innovative design strategies to help you curate a better feed.
- Invest in an Instagram Marketing Service
Growing your Instagram can feel like a full time job–so why not invest in a service to help? An Instagram marketing service helps brands, influencers, and entrepreneurs grow their Instagram by boosting brand awareness, locating new followers, and growing a brands reach far better than anyone could do on their own.
Whether you get verified or not, putting real effort into making your Instagram successful is as important as earning the ever-so-elusive verification status.
As your Instagram continues to grow, you’ll be able to make the most of your account as authentically as possible.
