Instagram starts letting users request for verified accounts

Instagram has started extending its verified account feature to users across the platform. Instagram introduced verified badges for public figures, brands, and celebrities.

This feature was first spotted by Instagram users in Australia, reported by nine.com.au. According to the report, this feature is available under the settings menu and more specifically just below 'Switch to business profile'.

Here, Instagram asks for the user's full name and a government issued photo ID for identity proof. After the details are uploaded, the user's request will be sent to the company for reviewing. On the verification page, Instagram still explains that a verified badge will only be given to accounts of a major public figure, celebrity or brand.

Instagram has confirmed testing this feature in a few countries giving every user an opportunity to get a verified badge on their account.

"Our community asked us for more access to and transparency around verification on Instagram — and we've listened. We hope this new form will safeguard people from believing false promises of verification and help our global community more easily understand and navigate the process of getting verified on Instagram," an Instagram spokesperson said.

It's interesting to see how Instagram will filter and roll out its verified badges feature for its 1 billion user base. The verified account rage was first started by Twitter in 2009 for users in different fields like media, acting, fashion, politics and journalism. The feature was however paused last November after Twitter approved the blue tick for a white nationalist.

Twitter is expected to re-launch the feature soon with its CEO Jack Dorsey even planning to let all users request for a verified badge.

Twitter's blue tick has often received criticism, although the feature has been expected to help authenticate genuine accounts. It remains to be seen how Instagram's verified badge will help curb the problem of spam accounts on the platform.