For all those aspiring influencers, established influencers and Insta-fanatics today is a good day for YOU!
Instagram just launched three in-app features to help you stay safe and authentic on the platform.
Users will soon be able to apply for in-app verification, evaluate the authenticity of other accounts, and will be able to use a third-party two-factor authentication to securely log into their accounts.
According to Adweek Instagram has been testing in-app verification since June 2018 for all accounts that are “notable and authentic.”
This new form of verification will be made available to accounts “that reach large audiences and comply with Instagram’s terms of service and community guidelines”.
Instagram will still review all accounts for authenticity, but the process of applying for verification will now be straightforward for those who qualify to apply.
Interested in applying for verification?
Navigate to the “Settings” menu and scroll down to find the option “Request Verification.” You will need to submit a copy of your government-issued photo ID and full name, in order to apply.
According to TechCrunch “…to make sure your account is complete, it must be public, with a profile photo, bio, and one post minimum. Importantly, Instagram stipulates that your account ‘can’t contain ‘add me’ links to other social media services,’ so prune anything like that.”
Just remember this new verification-application feature doesn’t guarantee anything.
Feel like checking out the authenticity of another account?
The process is pretty simple.
Anyone can access this new feature by tapping the “…” menu and then selecting “About This Account”.
Within this section, users will be able to see the date the account joined Instagram, the country where the account is located, accounts with shared followers, any username changes in the last year and any ads the account is currently running.
Users will also be able to select the option of a third-party Two-Factor Authentication if they want to double up on an extra layer of security.
Why Has Instagram Decided To Roll Out Not One, But THREE New Features???
Security is most likely the number one reason why the photo-sharing platform has decided to introduce these new features.
Many high-profile individuals, celebrities, and influencers have had problems with fraudulent accounts and impersonation on various social media platforms. This could be one reason why Instagram has introduced the “About This Account” feature.
And it was only recently that hundreds of Instagram accounts were compromised by Russian hackers.
Therefore, it makes sense that the photo-sharing app would roll out a feature that would give users an extra layer of security when logging in.
What are your thoughts? Are you excited for any of these new features? Let us know in the comments below.
Photo credits: Tech Crunch/Bryce Durbin and Instagram