Instagram opens its verification process to all users; here’s how to apply

So far, Instagram’s verified badge had been limited to accounts of public figures, brands and celebrities.

Verified accounts on Instagram have a blue tick next to their username. (Shutterstock)

As rumoured earlier, Instagram has opened its verification process to all users on its platform. Instagram users with large audiences can request for verification through a form within the app.

Verified accounts have a blue tick next to their username indicating that the account is genuine. Every verified account request will be reviewed by Instagram to see if it complies with the company's criteria.

How to apply for a verified account on Instagram

Go to your profile on Instagram and open the Settings menu.

Scroll down to the bottom and select "Request Verification".

You will then need to provide your username, full name and a copy of your legal or business identification.

Once your request is reviewed, you will receive a notification confirming or declining it.

Along with verification requests, Instagram also made two new announcements which are part of its "About This Account" feature. Users will now be able to evaluate the authenticity of accounts by allowing them to see the advertisements an account is running, the country where the account is located, username changes in the past year as well as other details.

Instagram will soon show all details linked to users' accounts. (Instagram)

Instagram will soon show all details linked to users' accounts. (Instagram)

"Keeping people with bad intentions off our platform is incredibly important ... that means trying to make sure the people you follow and the accounts you interact with are who they say they are, and stopping bad actors before they cause harm," Instagram co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Mike Krieger said.

Instagram also said it will allow the use of third-party apps such as DUO Mobile and Google Authenticator for two-factor authentication to help users securely log in to their accounts.

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security on top of usernames and passwords by prompting users for information they have access to.

Earlier this month, Facebook introduced this feature for users who managed pages with a large U.S. following, seeking to make it harder to administer a page using a fake or compromised account.

These features will be broadly available in the coming weeks, the photo-sharing app said in a blog post.

With inputs from Reuters.