The Power of Verified Accounts on Instagram: Understanding the Psychology Behind

Long story short: No. You won't get more likes just because you verify your Instagram account.

But...

Social media has become an integral part of our lives, with billions of users logging in daily to share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences with the world. Verified social media accounts are those the platform has confirmed as authentic and belonging to the person or organization they claim to represent. The psychology behind verified social media accounts is fascinating and offers insight into how we perceive online identities.

One of the main reasons for the popularity of verified social media accounts is the trust and credibility they inspire in users.

When we see a verified badge next to a social media handle, we are more likely to trust the content and believe that it is coming from a legitimate source. This is particularly important in today's digital age, where the spread of misinformation is a major concern.

Another psychological factor that contributes to the importance of verified social media accounts is the need for social proof.

Social proof is a term used to describe the phenomenon where people look to others for guidance on how to behave or think in a given situation. In the context of social media, social proof is particularly relevant as users look to influencers, celebrities, and other high-profile accounts for guidance on what to like, comment on, and share. Verified social media accounts offer a form of social proof, suggesting that the person or organization behind the account is influential and worth following.

The psychology behind verified social media accounts is also linked to the concept of identity verification. Identity verification is a process used by social media platforms to ensure that users are who they claim to be. This is achieved by asking users to provide information such as a government-issued ID or a phone number to verify their identity. Identity verification is important for social media platforms as it helps to build trust with users and reduce the risk of fraud or abuse. For users, identity verification offers peace of mind, knowing that they are interacting with real people and not bots or fake accounts.

Finally, the psychology behind verified social media accounts is linked to social status.

On social media, social status is determined by factors such as the number of followers, the level of engagement, and the perceived influence of an account. Verified social media accounts offer a form of social status, suggesting that the person or organization behind the account is essential and worth following. This can be a powerful motivator for individuals and organizations seeking to establish themselves as influential figures within their respective industries.

Verified accounts inspire trust and credibility, offer social proof, provide identity verification, and offer a form of social status. As social media continues to grow in popularity, the importance of verified social media accounts will increase as users seek out legitimate sources of information and influential figures to follow.

META Verification

Meta Verified is a bundle subscription to verify your Instagram and Facebook accounts. This subscription offers account support (with a humane assistant) and the public verification symbol where available.

Meta Verified protects your account from fake accounts and impersonators. This can help protect your reputation.

Meta Verification is currently available only for individuals, not business accounts, and is not available for everyone yet. If you didn't get the invitation, to apply, you must join their waitlist. Once Meta Verified is widely available, more information on the specific features and benefits will be public.

I’m already verified. Will my account be affected?

There’s already a verification program present on Facebook and Instagram. Meta stated that with Meta Verified, previously verified accounts would not be affected. However, that doesn’t mean that there won’t be changes in the long term.
According to the company’s blog post, previously-verified accounts won’t be affected in the short term, but it will eventually be “evolving the meaning of verified accounts on [its] apps.”

Enjoy Instagramming!