Social media verification is an important step for a number of companies and other people trying to present themselves online. Websites such as Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram will usually request some kind of personal information from a user to verify that the person is who they say they are, and in return, the website will place a checkmark or some kind of badge on the account that notifies other users that helps develop a certain level of trust.
Verification is one of the first steps in most social media marketing strategies. When a social media account becomes verified, it immediately gains credibility and can also help improve possible networking options.
Getting verified on social media websites can be difficult, but the reward is usually worth the effort. Without an enormous following, as is common with many high-profile celebrities, verification is far from automatic for most other people.
People who have attempted to become verified and failed should know that they may not have been properly following the applicable rules. This blog post will be designed to give you some helpful overviews of seeking verification on websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, and Snapchat.
The Importance of Becoming Verified on Social Media
The blue checkmark on Twitter was one of the first social media websites to use verification, and many people today rely on that blue checkmark to confirm that an account on that website is actually run by the person it claims to be. Verified accounts immediately stand above other accounts and stand out as the accounts worth paying attention to.
Verification is important because when somebody is incredibly popular, there will always be the chance that there are several other accounts with the same name that are not operated by that person. This is important because some people or companies will attempt to create accounts that may even identify themselves as official accounts for larger companies but are not actually connected to said companies.
People will frequently have to do some research when determining whether social media accounts actually belong to the people or companies that the accounts claim to be operated by. Verification is helpful because it can remove the need to perform any homework.
The number of followers and the type of content on an account will usually be the surest signs of how authentic an account is, but verification is the simplest way. Here is how you can get verified on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, and Snapchat.
How to Get Verified on Facebook
Facebook uses a blue verification checkmark for major media organizations, global brands, or public figures, while a gray checkmark denotes other businesses also deemed to be authentic. Getting verified on Facebook begins with making sure that a Facebook page is completely updated.
Profile pictures need to be updated and profile information has to be filled out. People who have not been posting regularly will need to wait until they have regularly posted for a consistent amount of time before attempting to become verified.
Facebook states that it looks at a number of factors when evaluating Facebook accounts to determine if they’re in the public interest and meet verification criteria. In addition to following Facebook’s terms of service, an account also needs to be:
Facebook notes that providing false or misleading information during the verification process can lead to removal of a verified badge as well as additional action to delete an account. When you think you satisfy these terms and are ready to proceed, you can complete a Request a Blue Verification Badge form.
If your account represents a person, you will need a copy of your official government-issued photo identification such as a passport, driver’s license, national identification card to validate your request. If your account represents an organization, you will need a copy of a phone or utility bill, a certificate of formation, articles of incorporation, or tax exemption documents.
With business verification on Facebook, the process begins by going to the Security Center. If you use Monthly Invoicing to pay for ads on Facebook, you don’t have to submit documentation for business verification.
Enter your business details and click Next. The business information you provide during the business verification process will become publicly visible if your Page has a large audience or runs ads about social issues, elections, or politics in the United States.
You will then select the correct business from the list, or select None of these match if you don’t see your business on the list. Select a phone number that you have access to from the dropdown menu and click Next.
Choose to receive the verification code on your business phone number via a text message or phone call, or via email. Business verification usually only takes a matter of days but could take weeks in some cases.
How to Get Verified on Twitter
Twitter states that a blue verified badge on Twitter lets people know that an account of public interest is authentic. To receive a blue badge, an account must be notable and active.
A Twitter account must represent or otherwise be associated with a prominently recognized individual or brand, in line with the notability criteria described below. In addition to confirming the identity of the controller of the account, Twitter will verify the following types of accounts based on the criteria described:
Individual accounts of artists, performers, directors, and others in similar public-facing roles associated with such entities or their productions may be verified if:
Sports: Accounts