How to get verified on Instagram (and Facebook) for Actors in 2023

[@HeidiDean]

Are you verified? Or do you have any questions about this video? Let me know...

[@VirtualTeachingPro]

Thanks so much for explaining the updates on this. Easy to follow and straightforward. As an actor and an educator in musical theatre, it’s frustrating that now we are all starting down the path of buying our online real estate. I have the option to get verified now but it’s $15 a month. We already pay for websites, casting profiles, and uploading media as we update our online casting docs. For me personally, I don’t see the necessity of pay for play social media at this time but that’s just my opinion. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts on this.

[@HeidiDean]

Hi Ashlee! Totally get it- it's not for everyone. You've gotta make the decision that's right for you! 💗

[@LydiaNicoleLive]

Excellent. Thanks for the info ❤❤❤❤

[@HeidiDean]

You are so welcome!

[@lennygrossman3847]

Always great information, Heidi. Thank you!

[@HeidiDean]

You are so welcome Lenny!

[@imjuanalonso]

Not yet available in the UK

[@HeidiDean]

Nope, like I said only the US, New Zealand and Australia right now, but it's rolling out to everyone soon. It just got released in the US :)

[@beauxemerson855]

Thank you for all of this info. I do hope that IG , sooner than later, makes it available for artists and actors who use stage names

[@HeidiDean]

OMGoodness! YES! This effects so many artists and me too. I don't do business under my married name (that is on my IDs) it makes it extremely difficult even for someone like me to do this. I would love the extra protection from hackers and impersonators. Hopefully they will allow us to present a DBA of some sort soon :)

[@AnimeAdventures]

Great video! Elise Baughman

[@HeidiDean]

Thanks Elise! I hope it helps you with your account!

[@TracyLindley]

I just requested verification thanks to your tips-fingers crossed! 🤞

[@HeidiDean]

Awesome! Fingers crossed :) So great meeting with you yesterday. Looking forward to August.

[@JeffNeckonoff]

The problem with getting verified is that you are not allowed to EVER change your profile picture.

[@HeidiDean]

Hi Jeff! Thanks for being here. Not totally true- you can, you'll just have reapply. Sorry if that wasn't clear in the video. And for most people this process takes a few minutes so when you change that profile photo (which should really be that often) you can reapply again.

[@boisycopelandjr]

Nice video

[@HeidiDean]

Thanks Boisy!

[@JessicaDardarian950012jd]

I do want to get verified, but I don’t have access to the program yet. How long can that take?

[@HeidiDean]

We don't know- it's brand new and just started rolling out in the US (after being tested in Australia and New Zealand). Sit tight and I'm sure you'll get it soon! You'll get a little notification when you sign in when you do!

[@Prettynailsandtarotcards]

I got verified last week and now I’m just wanting to find out more info. I am not an actor but I am a nail artist. I got it for the protection against impersonators 😅

[@HeidiDean]

That's great you have it for that! It's def an added perk!

[@Ufitlinda]

Did you pay $14.99?

[@ryansatterfeal]

@heidi, what if our IG is under a stage name? How can we verify (without the subscription) ?

[@HeidiDean]

Without a subscription you can still apply (for now) in the app settings but it's VERY difficult to get verified unless you're what they consider to be a 'notable' public figure. Translation= you have A LOT of traffic to your Instagram and a lot of search results on Google. I have a feeling once this initial wave happens with subscription there will be other methods of verifying you identity for the subscription (like a DBA where you could show them you 'do business under' a stage name).

[@ryansatterfeal]

@@HeidiDean thank you, so would it be okay to be non-verified for right now?

[@sharadmaholay]

For a 10 yr old child actor in india?

[@geertvannieuwenhove]

Hi Heidi, thank for the information. Does the option "Meta Verified" appears on it self, for those "new actors" whose account is still younger than 1 year? Thank you in advance for the help :)

[@HeidiDean]

Hey Geert! It should be rolled out to most accounts now but in some countries it's not available yet. Are you in the US?

[@geertvannieuwenhove]

@@HeidiDean Hey Heidi, No I'm in Belgium (Europe). I found the option, it's kinda "hidden" over here, or so I found out. I've tried to get verified, but since my account is still "new", they will only verified it after 180 days, which mean I still have to wait for half a year, before I can even try to get verified, which is very annoying if you want it, but at least, I know now what to do :) so thanks for your help, Heidi 😃

[@catherinebruhier7777]

Thank you, your incites are always timely, informative and well done! If you are currently verified will you have to start paying? If you’re not verified and you don’t pay to get verified, is there still away to become authentically verified at no cost?

[@HeidiDean]

As of right now META said current verified accounts will stay verified but that may change in the future. I'm sure they are waiting to see how that all plays out on Twitter. There's still an option to get verified in your settings the old fashion way- but it's a very small percentage of people that fit Instagram's definition of a notable person/brand and actually get verified that way. Going through PR (esp when you have a big booking) is your best bet there.

[@catherinebruhier7777]

Thx Heidi! :)

[@rockyf4981]

I would do it but can't until they let me verify my artistic name!

[@christina.freeman]

Hi Heidi, thank you for sharing this! It says I'm available to be verified, and I'm looking to do it soon :) I have a few questions first. If I want to get verified, should I make sure that I don't have any emojis after my last name? So instead of "Christina Freeman✨🌼" it should simply be "Christina Freeman?" Also, what would your recommendation be regarding updating profile pics, since actor headshots are recommended to be taken every so amount of years? If I get verified and the time comes later in the future for me to update my headshot, would you recommend I cancel my subscription, change/update my profile photo, then reapply? Thanks!

[@HeidiDean]

Hi Christina! It needs to match your ID perfectly. I had a client get denied because they had the word 'Actor' in their name. Just move them to your bio. As for photos, I wouldn't doubt if they give us an option in the future to re-submit a photo for approval. This system is all very new so anything can change at this point. They have said that if you change your profile photo you just have to resubmit (which really only takes a few minutes). I realize I didn't make that clear in this video :)

[@Lucasmoses7]

Dm 👆🏼 for your accounts verification without delay

[@MarinaBaldassini]

is it still possible to be verified for free by filling out the form? Any advice on this? I am writing to you from Italy. Thank you for this video.❤

[@HeidiDean]

The form is still there but it's not easy to get verified that way. You need to show them you are highly notable (meaning having a lot of traffic to your page daily and high Google search results as well). The best time to apply this way is when you have something BIG in the trades.

[@Vicky-Lynn]

Also available in Canada 🇨🇦

[@HeidiDean]

Awesome! That must be new- Yay!!

[@larabuntaofficial]

Really? I dont have it on my IG and Im in Canada

[@Vicky-Lynn]

@@larabuntaofficial 🤔🤷‍♀️I’m in Ottawa. I have the option. But didn’t get it 😂

[@Ufitlinda]

$14.99 a month?! For meta verify. What’s going on?

[@LydiaKay]

No good for actors if you have a stage name though as they’ll only let you use your legal name. 😩🤦🏻‍♀️

[@HeidiDean]

Exactly! That's why I mentioned it in the video 😉 But I do see this changing in the future since it's not just actors that struggle with this...it's a whole lot of married folks (esp women) who don't do 'business' under their legal name. Their old verification process allowed for other forms of ID (including a DBA) so it would be odd if this didn't mirror that eventually. I imagine for you the bigger struggle right now is that it's not available in the UK :)

[@LydiaKay]

@@HeidiDean Yeah fingers crossed! Hopefully they’ll let us change our profile photos too!

[@HeidiDean]

Another change I think will happen down the road. Good thing that's something we don't change very often. Fingers crossed!

[@lamarastrijdhaftig3059]

I'm an actor but would only subscribe for the security and customer service benefits. Having the blue checkmark this accessible will only make sure that in 3 months everyone will have one and it won't mean much anymore as a public figure.

[@HeidiDean]

That's the main reason to get it! I actually don't think as many people will pay for it as you think. We've already seen that over on Twitter. I was surprised!