It won’t be an exaggeration to say that social media is an indispensable part of our lives. Other than falling into the most adorable black hole of cat videos and sharing incorrigible vacation throwbacks, social media has emerged as a powerful tool for content creators and brands. In today’s world, TikTok stars are banking more than Hollywood starlets, and Instagram-viral brands are giving big corporations a run for their money.
Therefore, it would be foolish to overlook social media when it comes to establishing your brand in the digital space. Social media outreach should ideally be an essential part of your digital marketing strategy.
If you have incorporated social media best practices such as sharing high-quality posts and creating a monthly social calendar, it’s time to up your game and play in the big leagues. What does it mean? This is about a blue (sometimes green or red) checkmark next to your nickname, of course! This verification badge shows that you are the real deal as well as boosts your online presence. The tiny symbol next to your brand name is also considered as somewhat of a status symbol.
Like most good things in life, you have to put in the work to get verified on social media platforms. In this post, we’re summarizing the process to gain verification badges on different social media platforms. Let’s dive in.
Facebook is one of the most important social media platforms for businesses. Its verification process is relatively easier than other platforms. Till 2019, Facebook used to have more than one kind of verification badge. However, having two badges created confusion among users, and the grey badge was subsequently phased out.
The badges are given to journalists, celebrities, government officials, famous brands, media, sports companies, influencers, and entertainment. If you fall under any of those categories, here are the steps to apply for verification:
- Start by updating your profile. Fill out all the information and upload a profile picture/logo and cover photo.
- Next, head over to Facebook’s request a blue verification badge page and fill the form.
- Add the link to the profile that you want to get verified as well as links to your other social media accounts.
- Add valid photo ID/official documents.
- Click Send.
It is likely to take several weeks to process your request.
These are the official steps, but you can take additional measures to aid your request. Apart from keeping your profile or page up to date, also make sure you are posting consistently and working on boosting audience engagement. Lastly, if possible, spend on paid advertising to show that you are serious about your presence on Facebook.
Instagram is perhaps the most challenging platform to get verified on. Verification was initially introduced on Instagram in 2014, and all users can apply for verification. However, Instagram is highly selective with its verification process. In fact, the platform hasn’t even disclosed the exact criteria for verifying accounts. The lack of transparency can make it seem like a shot in the dark. But don’t let that dissuade you from getting the coveted checkmark.
Even if you have zero followers on the platform, you can apply for verification. But there is no guarantee that you will be approved. Here are the steps to request verification on Instagram:
- Log in to your account.
- Click on your profile.
- Click on the hamburger icon in the top-right corner.
- Go to Setting> Account> Request Verification
- Fill in all the required information and attach a valid photo ID.
Unless you are a well-known celebrity, public figure, or popular brand, it won’t be easy getting verified on Instagram. That being said, continue working on growing your following by posting consistently, sharing high-quality content, and improving engagement. You can also establish your credibility as a brand or influencer by building a strong following on other platforms. And who knows, you might wake up to a verification badge.
Twitter is one of the first social media platforms to give blue checkmarks to verified accounts. According to Twitter’s criteria, you’ll only get verified if your account falls under one of the following categories: music, acting, fashion, government, politics, religion, journalism, media, sports, business, and other key fields.
Here are few tips to improve your odds of getting verified on Twitter
- Link your account with a verified phone number and email account.
- Make sure your profile is up to date with a bio, profile picture, and header image.
- Add your birthday (unless you are a business, brand, or organization account)
- Link your official website
- Set your tweets to public
- Lastly, submit a formal verification request and wait patiently. Carefully fill out this form and make the most of the 500 characters to persuade Twitter to verify your account. The platform usually responds within a week.
Earlier, the verification process on Twitter was pretty straightforward. However, that’s no longer the case. Twitter sometimes pauses its verification program. So don’t feel discouraged if you are currently unable to apply for verification. Wait for it to open back up.
Pinterest is an underrated platform that you should be utilizing to boost your online presence. Pinterest gives verified users a red checkmark next to their account name. And here’s how you can get yours:
- Set up a business account. If you already have one, log in.
- Next, click on Settings
- Scroll down, enter your website URL
- Add your Youtube, Instagram, Etsy, and other accounts, if you have any
- Click on Verify Website
- Follow the instructions displayed on the page
- Your request will likely be processed within a few days.
Google My Business
If you are working on building an online presence, then you are probably familiar with Google My Business. This is an excellent platform to promote any upcoming events, offers, discounts, and product launches. Constantly updating GMB posts can significantly improve your conversion rate and in-person purchases.
Getting verified on Google My Business will benefit your organization in a number of ways. It will prove that you are a genuine business and customers can trust the information mentioned on your page.
Take a look at the simple process to get your business verified on Google My Business:
- Open the Google My Business application or sign in to google.com/business
- Go to Verify
- Click on your phone number
- You will receive a text or automated message with the verification code
- Enter the code to get verified.
TikTok
TikTok is the newest, shiniest social media platform. Saying TikTok took the world by storm would be an understatement. No other platform has been this successful in making creators into overnight celebrities.
Unfortunately, you cannot apply for verification on TikTok. Unlike Facebook or Instagram, there is no sure-shot way to get the prized blue checkmark. But you can still take some steps to get your brand verified on TikTok. Take a look.
TikTok is a fast-paced platform that churns out content at a god-like speed. If you want your brand to get noticed, it’s imperative to keep up with the latest trends and constantly share creative content.
Put in the effort to grow your followers steadily. The greater your account, the higher are the chances of getting officially verified. Participate in challenges and duets to interact with other creators. You should also comment, like, and share to express your gratitude to your followers. It is also important to ensure your content adheres to TikTok’s rules and regulations, as any violations can get your content flagged.
Lastly, stay consistent and patient. There is no certainty when or if your account will get verified. But the right tactics will take you a step closer to the blue checkmark.
Snapchat
The verification symbol on Snapchat is different from most other social media platforms. Instead of a regular checkmark, you get an emoji next to your username to show that it’s a legit account. For example, Kylie Jenner has a crown emoji, and Youtuber David Dobrik has a camera emoji on their Snapchat account.
Similar to TikTok, there is no straightforward way to get verified on Snapchat. If you have a considerable amount of followers on this platform, you should reach out to the platform’s representatives to get your account verified. And even if you don’t have a substantial following, it never hurts to try.
Getting verified on Instagram is a Herculean task, and TikTok doesn’t even offer a direct process. But LinkedIn is one platform that won’t make you jump through hoops.
LinkedIn is an underrated platform that can be highly effective in growing your professional network and generating valuable leads for your business. Adding a verification checkmark to your profile is a great way to show your credibility.
To get verified, all you have to do is request verification. You will receive a four-digit code on your business email. Enter this code, and you’re done! It really is that easy.
The Bottom Line
Are you or your brand rapidly gaining popularity on social media? It’s crucial to get verified to save your brand from being impersonated and assure new followers that your account is genuine. While this is not an exhaustive list of social media sites, we hope it helps you get verified on some popular platforms.
About the Author
Becky Halls is a Co-Founder of Hyperise, a Hyper personalization toolkit for B2B marketers. She’s an experienced Growth Marketer, passionate about product design/development and online marketing.
