A little blue tick goes a long way. Instagram claims not to favour the verified, but HypeAuditor’s research shows that accounts boasting that unassuming checkmark gain an average of 30% more engagement than those without. According to a study published in February 2020, over 73% of accounts with over one million followers were verified, and less than 1% of accounts with one thousand to five thousand followers had the same privilege. HypeAuditor also claims that 3.26% of all Instagram accounts are verified, regardless of size. Naturally, this makes that same little blue tick an extremely hot commodity, and a worthy asset for any brand, influencer, or combination thereof. Instagram clearly know this (as if there was any doubt), since Adam Mosseri himself shared an official blog about it. We’ve done our checks and verified the essentials, so if you’re looking for a head-start on seeking that cerulean seal, Komodo’s got you covered. When you want to know how to get verified on Instagram, you need to know, quite literally, who you are. Assuming your account follows the platform’s Terms of Service and adheres to its Community Guidelines, Instagram demands you fulfil another set of criteria. Here’s how Komodo would recommend you meet these conditions, all while optimising your account for the followers you’ll attract with your shiny new badge. Authentic This one is simple. Your account needs to represent something ‘real’, i.e., a person or brand. In this new era where brands and influencers can sometimes be one and the same, this is a good opportunity to reinforce what you want your presence on Instagram to be about. Of course, success on socials requires authenticity of a different kind, one that relies on relatability, but we’ll talk about how Komodo can help you with that. Unique Now, this one can be confusing, especially when looking at larger companies. Multifaceted businesses like Bethesda Studios can have separate verified accounts for each of their company’s branches, offshoots, and offices. This is a complicated exception, one partially explained by Instagram’s policy on language-specific accounts, but for now you must only seek to verify ‘one account per person or business’. Once again, such a stipulation serves as a reminder to prioritise content that is unique to you and your brand, and it’s also important to remember that your verification cannot be transferred between accounts. Even when you know how to get your blue tick on Instagram, your reach is precious, and you need to know your target audience. Complete Well, people have to know who you are! If you’re looking to get verified while your account is private, you might be putting the cart in front of the horse. Having a clear and succinct bio is also a must. If you also need a second opinion on the details of formatting and managing your page, stick around to hear Komodo’s well-practiced perspective on the matter. Notable Here lies the challenge. Regardless of anything else, your chance of verified victory is still exactly that – a chance. Instagram admits that success is uncertain, ‘even if your account is eligible for verification’. With this in mind, alongside the fact that multiple applications for the same account will cancel each other out, seeking verification should wait for the right moment. First, your account will need to accrue both followers and fame. Instagram lends the most attention to accounts that appear in ‘multiple news sources’ beyond its own platform. Before you ask, sponsored content doesn’t help here. If you really want to get verified, you’ll have to rely on organic growth, your brand’s own appeal, and a few other tips and tricks. Start with the basics, like learning when to plan your posts, and cross-promoting your Instagram page with any accounts you might have on other platforms. However, if building this baseline foundation for your brand is proving a challenge, or you have questions about any specific verification requirements, you can always call on Komodo. As an award-winning social media agency, we can provide tailor-made strategies and management for your Instagram account. In fact, if you observe all our wonderful talent, you’ll see how many wear their blue badges with pride.