Social Media Verification

So you are wondering how to get a check on Instagram and why the blue tick is so important? Let’s explain this:

Our consumption for online content has never been in more demand. On the daily, we consume vast amounts of social media content, looking and searching for new and innovative ideas. But recently a higher demand in social media content, especially that of Instagram has brought the question of becoming verified to many people’s attention. Although many users do feel that the Instagram Verification service is an easy and non-organic way to gain more followers or popularity online. Instagram users have started to place a lot of more trust and confidence in the online world and especially in that of people with a big social media presence. Because we are now more connected than ever before, and the world has simply become so intertwined; the need for credibility is always on high demand. Instagram Verification is a simple way to ensure that all the confidence and trust you as a user apply to anyone or any business doesn’t easily crumble or become susceptible for pitfalls of uncredited information and/or fake news.

This is where Instagram stepped in, and created their verification service to ensure the content that is shared with an audience is original and carries some sort of credibility with it. The great thing about the Instagram Verification service is that it locks the verified account to be more honest and especially authentic. Many followers and users of Instagram have complained that the service might be a way for them to divide stronger public figures from a general user. This goes in hand with the argument that connects verification with popularity, trust, recognition and of course an increase in followers. But although all these thoughts and opinions might amount to it only becoming myths, Instagram users must be aware of the long and somewhat tedious process it is to receive your honorary blue badge. With this is also the hard work many people and companies have done to create and establish a well-known persona and brand.

It might seem as the best thing to have that blue badge next to your name on Instagram, but it won’t always mean more money or business or perhaps even more followers. After receiving your blue badge, you still need to maintain a good online presence. Many users frequent accounts that post as often as possible, and especially good quality content. This is only said for Instagram, it doesn’t discourage other social media platforms or websites if there are any. Some influencers and entrepreneurs are constantly thinking of new fresh ways to keep their audiences engaged as they are acting like a liaison between you and what they have to offer.

But a good Instagram presence isn’t the only important thing, it’s important that you maintain a good and regular public presence outside of Instagram. This is said for many businesses and start-ups, as people would still like to see your involvement in current events, this can sometimes be limited to your industry or field of expertise. Thinking of new ways to keep your audience happy outside of Instagram is a great way to also gain more followers.

Although it’s not always the most popular choice, people can now also use a third party company to help them get verified. We off course suggest that once you have sufficient news visibility after ordering our service or any viable equivalent, that you apply for verification directly from your own mobile device. 

In practice there is not difference between getting Instagram Verified by means of a media panel application from an agency, or directly from your mobile phone. The reason it is preferred to use your own mobile device for privacy reasons and account security – ensuring your account is not stolen or hacked in future.

Social media verification agencies definitely have the necessary PR resources and information on what it might take to become verified. Many websites and blogs suggest to not using any third party verification sites, as it may result in you losing your account completely: this is mainly the case with unverified accounts who trust strangers with their login details, or when unverified IG accounts are hacked.

Third party verification sites or companies charge a very small fee to complete certain tasks on your Instagram account. This can include, but is also not limited to verification. They allow people to build and gain more followers by purchasing a certain amount of followers or perhaps even helping people become more found online.

In terms of public information: It’s not always 100% clear how Instagram does their verification process, except from that which is shared with us via their requirements, but the same is said about third party verification. This might seem like a difficult and almost unconventional route to take, but these sites do ask money for doing something quite simple: just notifying Instagram that you are requesting verification.

Although Instagram doesn’t necessarily pay any verified account or person for using their platform, some people do get paid or endorsed by other companies for promoting their products or brands.

Instagram Verification does not at all mean you will become endorsed or paid by various companies or brands. The verification is only to ensure that impersonation of a certain degree isn’t committed on their platforms.

It’s also good to know that although many social media influencers showcase their extravagant lifestyle on all of their social media channels, they are simply doing so to promote a third party action. This can be to generate more sales of a certain thing or product. It’s safe to know that many public figures who are verified do get paid for their presence, but that’s being done through their own personal channels or perhaps other paid partnership deals. Verification means authenticity not always getting paid.

In do off course share information on how people use Instagram accounts to drive traffic to sites like OnlyFans to turn their followers into huge revenue streams.

Update: In July 2021 we started noting that Instagram started to require official ID verification and are being more specific over acceptable documentation. This is an important consideration especially for those running social media accounts with with aliases as opposed to using their real name. It may be as simple to use a passport for verification purposes – but can also cause a difficulty in cases of name disputes on Alias accounts.

The question about whether or not you should be buying Social Media verified accounts is common.

Our short answer to this is NO. Which we can explain:

The entire purpose of Instagram verification is to ensure that the legitimate account holder represents a real individual or entity. Yes, indeed being notable is a requirement – and people buy PR and media services all over the world, however if you buy an Instagram account from someone else, chances are that with individual accounts, you can become de-verified and lose your money.

One possible exception to buying an instagram verified account:

In the case of companies and organizations – where you buy a business and you become the legitimate owner of a business entity, where that business has a valid, verified social media account, it is generally considered as a transferable asset. However social media companies – including Facebook, had acted fairly aggressively in the past by suspending accounts post acquisition. As long as Instagram is owned by Facebook, you face that risk!

The conclusion? There is not cheat here! Only legitimate PR and being genuinely noteworthy, will get you Social Media Verification.

We believe that this is a misleading claim made by agencies to create more business. The fact is that in analyzing a very large dataset, we found no difference between Instagram decisions whether the verification request was made manually via a mobile or via a media partner portal.

The conclusion is that the Instagram decision cannot be manipulated by media partners: all they want is authentic notability that complies with their basic guidelines.

Many of our clients use the news articles they obtain from us to create a Google Knowledge Graph as well as a Wikipedia page. This is because both of these require solid references on news websites.

The creation of a Google Knowledge Graph and Wikipedia page is not included in our service – but it is something we suggest you do yourself.

It is very useful also for the purposes of verification and it can further improve your chances of verification. By claiming your own knowledge graph, you effectively become verified with Google.

There’s truly no limited to who can get verified by Instagram as it allows any person who is a well-known public figure to get their account verified. However the requirements could be tricky for a regular user to meet, some people have made their stamp on the world and their verification badge is a way to show it. 

Businesses and Companies – Instagram is a great platform to ‘advertise’ your brand and who you are. It’s also a great way to be more engaged and communicative with your customers and clients, as this is a way from them to get to know your brand a bit more personal.

Influencers and Entrepreneurs – A new approach to becoming well-known and also successful is being considered as an influencer. These people and accounts are here to show you all the good things in the world, and how you can achieve living such a lavish lifestyle. Instagram Influencers have almost become a sort of occupation as these people get paid to travel the world and endorse different products or companies. Keep in mind that this all depended on the type of arrange a person might have with an additional company. Entrepreneurs on the other hand can also use Instagram as a platform to sell their new ideas.

Artists, Writers, Journalists, Musicians – Social media is a vast expansion of never ending ideas and content, and being Instagram Verified can mean a lot for people who work in industries where there job is to create something new and highly original. So to become verified will help people in the arts and culture to spread their passion easier and also influence people with their ideas.

Anyone else – there is truly no limit to the type of person or business that can get verified. Politicians have started using Instagram as a more relaxed method of communication with their followers and supporters. Here they can share a more intimate part of their lives, as opposed to regular news and media outlets.

Social Media verification is open to any person who can meet the requirements and uphold the stature outlined by the Verification Terms and Services. 

Instagram is using this service to ensure that the accounts on the social media platform are of genuine authenticity. Instagram  outlined the simple reasons for their verification service. Because the platform is used in various ways, they want to ensure an authentic and unique presence for their users. Businesses, entrepreneurs and influencers use social media to drive more people to their brand and what they’re selling. It’s a great way to reach a wider range of people and also to grow your business. Account verification helps businesses and brands grow their influence in the public domain and also to generate revenue. This has almost become an integral part of many brand voices, as this builds better trust with their clients.

We have seen B2B influencers raise 6 figures through their Instagram accounts, and celebrity influencers leveraging their accounts for numerous other opportunities to generate additional revenue. You may have your own reason for verification, it is down to the individual.

Once you got the powerful blue social media badge, it’s not yours to keep as Social Media can always de-verify your account. There are small amounts of terms and services which you agree to once you submit your verification application, and if you don’t meet certain terms Instagram can always remove your verification.

These terms and services will co-exist with regular posting, not selling different products on your account or linking your account to different social media profiles.

Being Social Media Verified is thus not a permanent guaranteed status, but something that you have to continue earning by meeting their criteria.

It is OK if you failed. Most of our clients who come to us failed after attempting it themselves or attempted via an inferior scam service.

We can improve your PR and visibility – after which it is possible resubmit for social media verification in 30 days.

In the event that your application or request to receive a blue badge has been denied by the Instagram team, there are perhaps some more ways you can showcase your true authenticity to your followers and supporters.

As some people may lose their badge or get it denied because of uncredited resources, a user can always try an alternative route. Many other social media platforms also offer verification services, keep in mind that the requirements might be similar or even more complex. A simple recommendation is to link your Instagram profile directly to those profiles. This will give followers and supporters a variety of ways to interact and ensure your authenticity.

If you have a website, try by adding it into your Instagram profile bio, to direct people to your website. It’s also strongly advised to do the same on your website, as people will have various channels through which they can communicate with you.

If the reason you fail is a lack of “notability” in the news, you may need to order more of our services until such time Instagram is satisfied. Most people fail as Instagram staff could not find them on news.google.com. 

If you failed for another reason, to do with legitimacy: buying this service may not be sufficient to get verified. We are unable to guess the reason Instagram declined your application – although usually it can be deduced from the levels of news visibility if that was inadequate. 

Social Media guidelines are simple, as described here.

Ultimately, you the client need to read about it and decide if you’d like to attempt verification.

For a first-attempt success, we would not suggest a verification attempt if you have less than 5000 followers, but the choice is up the client, as many people now seek to build momentum and PR to get Instagram Verified.

The web is full of “guaranteed Instagram verification” services from as little as $99. Anyone with the slightest experience in PR and media, will understand that to breach the gap between being notable and NOT being that, may cost a few thousand dollars.

There is NO way around this: Instagram requires that you are notable and it will check this in the press. Be realistic about the cost of media and PR and do what is necessary without trying to game or cheat the system. That is the only way to avoid online scams.

These are important considerations when deciding on whether or not to order our service. What other overall benefits arise from the editorial press that you gain?

You gain a lot more:

Although the primary benefits of Instagram agency press support are around notability, you may also find that this helps with generating referral traffic, increases domain authority and helps with SEO and business lead generation.

For individuals, the answer is no, it is not recommended for the simple reason that ID verification is involved. It also goes against the whole purpose of verification: to ensure that legitimate users are who they claim to be.

In the case of a business, buying a verified Instagram account is different. Why? Because it is associated with a brand name, and not that of an individual.

So buying the Instagram account of Beyonce or Oprah is not a smart idea, but if you buy Nike shoes as a business and get the verified account as part of the deal, that is more acceptable and backed by business documentation in most cases, which will not lead to de-verification.

You will be surprised how many verified accounts can be bought for under $20K. But also to see how quickly they lose verification when changing owners.