We live in a digital world where your Internet presence can make or break your business. Instagram is a community with over one billion users as of June 2018. Of those users, over 8 million of them are businesses. Business profiles on Instagram have the ability to showcase their product or service to millions of potential customers every day. According to an article published by Business Insider, 72% of Instagram users say they’ve purchased a product based on what they saw on Instagram.
What does being verified by Instagram mean
Being verified on Instagram is one of the best ways to ensure that your followers and potential customers will trust your business. The enviable little blue checkmark next to a username was once only available to celebrities, public figures, and largely known brands – but over the last few months Instagram has opened the doors to allow others to request the coveted verified status.
Instagram describes the verified badge as a check that appears next to an Instagram account’s name to indicate that the account is the authentic presence of a notable public figure, celebrity, global brand or entity it represents.
How to apply for Instagram verification
It’s a quick and easy process:
- Open the Instagram app and go Settings
- Scroll down and select Request Verification
- Here you’ll enter your account name, full name, and a photo of your ID or as a business an official business document such as tax filing, recent utility bill, or article of incorporation
- Hit Send and hope for the best!
A panel will review the request and will notify you once they decide if the account is deemed verified or not. They look for authenticity, uniqueness, a complete and public profile, and whether you or your brand are notable.
What Instagram verification means for your brand
The little blue badge shows your followers that you and your brand, service, or product are legit. It means Instagram agrees that there’s no one else like you on their platform and that you and your voice are one of a kind.
This will help you develop a trusting relationship with your followers and will let them know they are going to the right place.
What to do before you request Instagram verification
- Make sure your profile is complete – Link to your profiles on other social media networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin. Keeping your brand consistent across the board will show your value. Be sure to have a bio clearly explaining who you are and what you do.
- Have an active account – Be sure to post regularly and be engaged with your followers. This let’s Instagram know you mean business and are consistently active on their platform.
- Show Instagram you’re worth it – Does your presence show up on the Internet? How many search results appear when you enter your business name into Google? The more the better.
- Be unique – Find a specific voice for your branding. Instagram needs to know you’re one of a kind!
While these tips can’t guarantee you’ll be officially verified by Instagram, it’s a step in the right direction. So far it appears there’s no specific number of times you can make the request.
If your request is denied, try switching it up and making your presence more known. Consider hiring a social media marketing agency to help give that extra push. Social media strategy is becoming more and more important to businesses of all types. Hiring someone to help manage your Instagram could give you an edge on your competition.
References:
Keyes, D. (2017, October 03). Instagram rolls out shoppable posts for more merchants. Retrieved September 6, 2018, from https://www.businessinsider.com/instagram-rolls-out-shoppable-posts-for-more-merchants-2017-10?utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=referral
Welcome to IGTV. (2018, June 20). Retrieved September 6, 2018, from https://instagram-press.com/blog/2018/06/20/welcome-to-igtv/
