Written by: Jules Samuel | Est. 8 min.
Instagram verification has become a coveted status symbol, signifying that an account is authentic, notable, and worth following. The blue checkmark next to your Instagram handle boosts credibility and opens doors to better visibility and brand opportunities. But many users wonder if there are any advantages to buying followers when it comes to fast-tracking their chances of getting verified.
While it might seem logical that having a large follower count could help, Instagram’s verification process is more complex than just numbers. This article explores the relationship between buying followers and getting verified, what Instagram really looks for, and the best ways to boost your verification chances.
Does Buying Instagram Followers Help You Get Verified?
Does buying Instagram followers help with verification? The short answer is no. Simply increasing your follower count—whether through organic growth or buying followers—does not guarantee that Instagram will grant you the verification badge. Instagram’s verification process is primarily based on authenticity and notability, not just follower numbers.
Buying followers might boost your numbers quickly, but Instagram can often detect inauthentic activity, especially if those followers are bots or inactive accounts. If Instagram determines that your followers were acquired through non-organic means, it could hurt your chances of getting verified rather than helping.
Furthermore, verification on Instagram is designed for accounts that are at high risk of impersonation, such as public figures, celebrities, global brands, and organizations. While having a large follower base can support your application, Instagram’s criteria focus more on whether your account represents someone or something truly notable in the real world. Authenticity and public interest are far more important than a high follower count achieved through artificial means.
What Criteria Does Instagram Use for Verification?
Instagram’s verification process is not simply about follower count; it’s about who you are and the influence you have. Here are the primary criteria Instagram considers for verifying an account:
- Authenticity: Instagram requires that the account represents a real person, brand, or entity. They need to confirm that the account is legitimate, and they will often require documentation, such as government-issued identification, to verify the person’s or business’s identity.
- Public Interest and Notability: The account must be in the public interest, meaning the person or business behind the account is well-known, talked about, or featured in multiple news outlets. Instagram specifically looks for accounts that have been written about or covered by media in a significant way.
- Media Coverage: Instagram emphasizes the importance of being featured in credible sources. They prefer coverage in established media outlets over mentions in user-generated content or paid promotion. The idea is that the person or entity should be newsworthy outside of Instagram.
- Impersonation Risk: One of the main reasons for verification is to protect notable accounts from impersonation. If your account is frequently being copied or imitated by fake accounts, Instagram may view it as more eligible for verification to protect its authenticity.
Instagram doesn’t just hand out verification badges based on follower count. Even accounts with fewer followers but a high level of notoriety and public interest are more likely to be verified than an account with millions of bought followers and no media presence.
The Role of Follower Count in Verification
While a high follower count can make an account appear more important, follower count alone isn’t enough to get verified on Instagram. Instagram is more interested in the quality of your followers and your overall impact in the real world.
For instance, an account with 50,000 engaged followers who regularly interact with posts, share content, and comment is more valuable in Instagram’s eyes than an account with 1 million bought followers who don’t engage. Engagement is a key indicator of authenticity and influence, and Instagram prioritizes accounts that have an active, engaged audience.
Personal notoriety also plays a significant role in verification. Having a large number of followers might signal to Instagram that you’re popular, but if those followers don’t reflect real-world influence or recognition, it’s unlikely to help with verification. What truly boosts your chances is media coverage and a strong public presence. Even accounts with fewer followers can get verified if they’re influential in their niche or have been featured in reputable publications.
In short, while a large follower count might look impressive, Instagram values engagement and real-world influencemuch more when considering verification applications.
The Risks of Buying Followers for Verification
Buying Instagram followers may seem like an easy shortcut to inflate your numbers and appear more influential, but it comes with serious risks—especially if you’re aiming for verification.
Fake Followers Detection
Instagram’s algorithms are designed to detect inauthentic activity, and they can often identify when an account has bought followers, especially if those followers are inactive or bots. Instagram periodically purges fake followers from its platform, which means that any bought followers could disappear, leaving your account with fewer followers and potentially damaging your credibility.
Damage to Reputation
When people realize that an account has bought followers, it can damage its reputation. Low engagement rates combined with a high follower count are often a telltale sign that followers were purchased. This can lead to people questioning the authenticity of the account, which could harm your personal or brand image. For influencers, this is especially risky because brands look for authenticity and genuine engagement when considering partnerships.
Penalties and Account Suspension
Instagram takes fake engagement seriously. If they detect a large number of fake followers or inauthentic activity, they can impose penalties on your account, such as reducing your reach, limiting the visibility of your posts, or even suspending your account altogether. For users hoping to get verified, these penalties can severely reduce your chances of achieving that goal.
Ultimately, buying followers as a way to get verified is risky and can backfire. Instagram prioritizes authenticity, and accounts that engage in inauthentic behavior are less likely to be rewarded with the verification badge.
The Black Market for Instagram Verification
Beyond buying followers, there’s a black market for buying Instagram verification badges. Some intermediaries or agencies claim to be able to secure the verification badge for users in exchange for a fee. While this might seem tempting, it’s important to understand the risks involved in using such services.
Risks of Black Market Verification
- Account Penalties: Instagram strictly prohibits paying for verification through unofficial channels. Accounts caught using these services may have their verification badge removed, face penalties, or even be suspended.
- Scams: Many black market verification services are fraudulent, taking users’ money without delivering the promised badge. These scams often target individuals desperate for verification, leaving them with no recourse and a tarnished account reputation.
- Violation of Terms: Instagram’s terms of service explicitly forbid buying or selling verification badges. If an account is flagged for engaging in such practices, it can severely hurt its chances of getting verified through legitimate means.
For those seeking verification, it’s crucial to avoid black market solutions and instead focus on legitimate strategies, like growing your notoriety organically or using Meta Verified, which offers a transparent way to get verified through Instagram’s subscription model.
Best Practices for Boosting Verification Chances
If you’re looking to boost your chances of getting verified on Instagram, here are some best practices to follow:
1. Build Personal Notability
One of the most important factors in verification is personal notoriety. This means building your presence outside of Instagram through media coverage, collaborations with well-known brands, or becoming an expert in your niche. Getting featured in reputable media outlets increases your chances of being recognized by Instagram as a notable figure.
2. Focus on Organic Growth
Growing your account through organic means—like creating engaging content, interacting with your audience, and building a community—is the most sustainable way to boost your influence. Organic followers are more likely to engage with your content, which improves your overall presence on the platform.
3. Engage with Your Community
Instagram values engagement. Spend time interacting with your followers, responding to comments, and fostering genuine relationships within your niche. This not only boosts your engagement metrics but also signals to Instagram that your account is active and authentic.
4. Use Meta Verified
If you meet Instagram’s criteria, consider using Meta Verified, a subscription service that offers the verification badge to users who can prove their identity and meet certain activity requirements. While it’s not available in all regions, Meta Verified is a legitimate way to secure verification without going through unofficial channels.
Conclusion
Buying followers won’t help you get verified on Instagram, and in many cases, it can harm your chances. Instagram’s verification process is based on authenticity, public interest, and personal notability—not just follower count. While having a large, engaged audience can support your application, it’s more important to focus on building real-world influence, engaging with your followers, and gaining media coverage.
For those eager to get verified, investing in organic growth and public recognition will serve you better in the long run. Additionally, for those who meet the criteria, Meta Verified offers a safe and legitimate path to the coveted blue checkmark.
You may also like: