If you spend much time on social media, you probably have noticed that some accounts have a small checkmark next to the name of the person or organization. This checkmark is there to distinguish the official account of a celebrity or well-known business from any fake accounts that may be out there. More than that, however, the checkmark also helps give the account more credibility. Obtaining a checkmark or badge can provide a number of benefits for your business or organization. Not only can it keep other people from trying to impersonate your company on social media but it can also help build trust with your followers. When people see the checkmark next to your name, they will know that your account is the one that they should follow.

Obtaining a badge or checkmark can go a long way toward protecting your business on the Internet. Instead of having to spend all of your time trying to deal with fake accounts, you can simply verify your account and make it clear for your followers which account they should follow. Here are some steps you should take on each of the major social networks to secure your account:

Facebook Social Media Verification Badges

Getting verified on Facebook is a relatively easy process. To start with, you should make sure that your page is listed as a local business or as a company or organization. In order to qualify for a verification badge, your page needs to fall under one of these categories. The next step is to choose ‘Page Verification’ from the settings menu. Follow the prompts to obtain verification. You will need to have a phone number that is listed in a public directory. You will also need to specify the language that your company primarily does business in. After you submit your information, you will get a call from Facebook that has a code that you can use to verify your account. Once you receive the code, you simply have to enter it in the form to obtain verification.

If phone verification fails for some reason, there is another option. You can submit paperwork to Facebook proving that you are an official organization. For instance, some of the documentation they accept includes a copy of your incorporation papers or a current utility bill. This needs to be an official document if you plan on using it to verify your company’s identity. It usually takes a few days after Facebook receives your documentation for your account to receive its verification badge. It is well worth the effort, however, since it can make a real difference in your online success.

Instagram Social Media Verification Badges

Instagram provides a checkmark next to the official accounts of celebrities, well-known public figures, or brands. It is a little bit harder to get a checkmark on Instagram since they focus primarily on providing checkmarks to celebrities. At this point, Instagram recommends linking your account to your website and your Facebook page. The hope is that this will help prove that your account is the official one. Sadly, this isn’t a failsafe way to keep impostors from copying your account. However, it is the best option that is currently available. You should also link to your Instagram account from your website so that people can tell that it is your official account. Hopefully, their verification process will change in the future to include smaller businesses and organizations instead of just celebrities.

YouTube Social Media Verification Badges

YouTube bases verification on the number of subscribers that you have for your channel. In most cases, only accounts that have over 100,000 subscribers qualify for verification. This can be somewhat problematic for smaller companies since getting that many followers is practically impossible unless you have a large business that reaches a national or international audience. YouTube also requires accounts to have a Google+ page that has been verified. In most cases, accounts that reach the required number of subscribers are automatically awarded a verification badge. If you change the name of your channel, however, your badge will automatically go away until YouTube has a chance to review your account again. Even though there is no way for businesses that have fewer than 100,000 followers to get a verification badge, you won’t lose out on any functionality on the site by not having one.

Twitter Verification

Having a blue checkmark next to your name on Twitter means that your account is the official account for your brand. In the past, this checkmark was only available to celebrities, well-known public figures, large media outfits, and other major businesses. Today, however, the verification process is available for practically anyone. You need to make sure that your account includes your company’s contact information. This includes a phone number, a valid email address, and a profile picture. You also need to link your account to your official company website. Double check to make sure that your profile is set to be visible to the public. Once everything is in place, it is simply a matter of filling out a short questionnaire to verify your account. This form is only available after you log into Twitter. Once you submit your application, it is simply a matter of waiting to hear back from Twitter. They will let you know whether or not your request has been approved. Even if your account doesn’t currently qualify, you can always reapply after 30 days have passed.

Pinterest Verification

Getting verified on Pinterest is surprisingly easy when compared to some of the other social networks. It is a quick process that doesn’t take much time or effort. Start by logging into your profile. From there, go into the ‘Settings’ section to edit the settings on your account. At the bottom of this page, all that you have to do is enter the address of your company’s official website. Then, it is simply a matter of clicking on a button to verify your account. You will be given a file that you need to upload to your company’s web address. Once the file is uploaded, you can enter the address for the file in the submission form and click on a link to have your site verified. Pinterest will go out and make sure the file is actually uploaded to your site. As long as it is there, your account is automatically verified. The process itself is extremely fast and easy. Because of that, there is no reason not to take the time to get your account verified on Pinterest. As long as you can upload a file to your website, you can literally complete the verification process in a matter of minutes.

Does Verification Matter?

Verifying your account may seem like an unnecessary hassle. As it turns out, however, it can be quite beneficial for your business. In some cases, you may not qualify for verification yet. Don’t stress too much about it. Instead, work on building up your brand on social media. Over time, you may gain enough followers to qualify.

Although verification isn’t required, it is definitely worth trying to verify your account. Having a badge or checkmark next to your name can go a long way toward protecting your brand and creating the right image for your company online. When people see the checkmark, it automatically gives your brand legitimacy and helps identify your account as the official account for your company.