Like Twitter, Instagram offers blue verification checkmarks for certain high-profile accounts to let you know that they're the real deal. And like Twitter, Instagram is now letting accounts request verification.
Instagram announced today that it's allowing users to request the blue verification badge. The feature is intended for "accounts that reach large audiences and meet our criteria." To get the verification badge, your account will need to comply with Instagram's Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. Instagram will review your request to confirm your account's authenticity, uniqueness, completeness, and notability before verifying it.
If you feel like your Instagram is unique and notable enough to be verified, you can go into your account, tap the menu, select Settings, and then choose "Request Verification". You'll need to fill out your account name and real name and also provide a photo of your ID. Instagram notes that submitting a request for verification doesn't guarantee that you'll get it. Once your request has been reviewed, you'll be notified whether your request is approved or denied.
Verification badges are important, especially for public figures and those in the news. That's because when you see the verification badge, you can know that the content on the account is real and trustworthy. That's why it's good to see Instagram rolling out the ability to request verification, which should help businesses, public figures, and other important people make it clear that they're real and help users avoid fakes.
Also announced today is an "About This Account" page. Rolling out in the coming weeks, the feature will let you tap on an "About This Account" button on an Instagram user's profile to learn more about their account, like when they joined, their country, the ads they're currently running, and any former usernames that they may have had. You'll also be able to easily see shared followers.
Instagram is rolling out support for third-party authenticator apps, too. With this feature, you'll be able to use a third-party authenticator app to securely log in to your Instagram account, keeping your info safe. Instagram has offered an SMS-based two-factor authentication method for a while, but it's good to see the service adding support for third-party authenticator apps for users who prefer to secure their account that way.
Support for third-party authenticator apps is now rolling out and will be available globally in the coming weeks. To enable it, go to your profile, tap the menu icon, choose Settings, and then go to "Two-Factor Authentication". You can then select "Authentication App", and if you've already got an app installed, Instagram will find it and send a login code.
