Introduction
The blue tick on Instagram is a coveted symbol that indicates verified accounts. This verification helps users identify authentic brands, celebrities, and notable personalities. But what does it really mean to be verified, and why is it so important?
Understanding Verification
Instagram verification confirms that an account is authentic and represents a real entity, public figure, or brand. This is crucial in a platform where impersonation can easily occur.
Benefits of Having a Blue Tick
For users and businesses, the blue tick signifies trust and credibility. Here are some of the major benefits:
- Credibility: Verified accounts are often trusted more by users.
- Increased Engagement: Verified users often see higher engagement rates.
- Searchability: Verified accounts typically appear higher in search results.
- Access to Features: Some features are exclusive to verified users, such as the ability to go live with other users.
How to Get Verified on Instagram
Getting verified is not an automatic process and requires careful effort. Here are the steps:
- Go to your account settings and look for “Request Verification.”
- Provide your account name, account category, and a scan of your business documents or ID.
- Submit and wait for a response, which can take a few days.
Instagram evaluates whether the account is notable, authentic, unique, and active, based on these factors.
What It Takes to Get Verified
Instagram has specific criteria for accounts to get verified. Here are some factors:
- Authentic: The account must represent a real person, registered business, or entity.
- Unique: The account must be the unique presence of the person or business it represents.
- Complete: The account must be public, have a profile photo, and a bio.
- Notable: The account must be well-known and frequently searched for.
Examples of Verified Accounts
Many famous personalities and brands benefit from the blue tick. Examples include:
- Celebrity Profiles: Artists like Taylor Swift and actors like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
- Brands: Companies such as Nike and Coca-Cola have blue ticks as a symbol of their legitimacy.
- Political Figures: Notable leaders like Barack Obama and Angela Merkel.
Case Study: The Impact of Verification
Take the example of a small business called “EcoHome,” which sells sustainable products online. Before getting verified, EcoHome had around 5,000 followers but limited engagement. After applying for verification and receiving the blue tick, their followers increased to over 15,000 within six months. They also witnessed an uptick in customer inquiries and overall engagement on their posts.
Statistics Surrounding Verified Accounts
According to research, verified accounts tend to perform significantly better than non-verified ones:
- Verified accounts have, on average, a 25% higher engagement rate than non-verified accounts.
- 70% of Instagram users have more trust in verified brands.
- 75% of users are more likely to click the posts of verified users.
Challenges and Misconceptions
While the blue tick offers numerous advantages, there are also misconceptions about what verification means. It does not necessarily indicate that the account is famous or that all of its content is of high quality. It simply provides authenticity and credibility.
Conclusion
The blue tick on Instagram is a powerful tool for verifying authenticity and promoting trust in a crowded social media landscape. As Instagram continues to evolve, the importance of having a verified account is likely to grow, making it even more crucial for businesses and influencers to pursue verification.