Instagram co-founder and CTO Mike Krieger (pictured above, left) unveiled yesterday several new tools aimed at keeping accounts authentic and secure. Though perhaps the most notable update, as far as creators are concerned, is a new process whereby global users can apply for verification.
While the company previously doled out its highly-coveted blue check marks without any formal way for users to apply, it has now unveiled a form within the Instagram app enabling accounts to tender a request. In terms of who gets accepted, Instagram is fairly vague, though its Help Center notes that verified accounts must comply with its Terms Of Service and Community Guidelines, and “must represent a well-known, highly searched for person, brand, or entity.”
To access the application , tap on the ‘Menu’ icon on your profile, select ‘Settings’, and then tap ‘Request Verification’. Applicants must furnish a copy of their legal or business identification, which the company vows won’t be shared publicly. Once a request has been submitted, users will receive notification that it has been confirmed or declined — and Instagram noted that it will never request payment throughout any part of the verification process.
Subscribe to get the latest creator news
Another update to Instagram announced by Krieger includes an ‘About This Account‘ section on largely-followed profiles, which will provide more detailed information — including country of origin, any recent username changes, and any ads currently running — in order to confirm their authenticity. And finally, Instagram will allow users to log in via third-party authenticator apps — a process that the company calls “easier and safer.”
“We’ve been focused on the safety of our platform since the very beginning,” Krieger wrote, “and today’s updates build upon our existing tools, such as our spam and abusive content filters and the ability to report or block accounts.”
You can read more about the latest updates here.
