Instagram has announced that it is taking steps to ensure that its users and community are safe. First, it is announcing a new feature to help evaluate the authenticity of accounts with large followings on Instagram; it is also launching a global verification form for notable public figures; and an improved form of two-factor authentication that makes it easier and safer for users to securely log into Instagram.

About This Account 

In the coming weeks, users will be able to see more information about accounts on Instagram that reach large audiences so they can evaluate the authenticity of the account. To learn more about an account, users can go to a Profile, tap the … menu and then select About This Account. There, they will 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. If users see an account on Instagram that they believe violates community guidelines, they can report it. In September, people who have accounts that reach large audiences can review the information about their accounts that will soon be publicly available. After that, the About This Account tool will be available to the global community.

Increasing Access to Verification

In addition to the About This Account feature, the blue verified badge is an important way for users to know that the account they are interacting with is the authentic presence of a notable public figure, celebrity, global brand or entity. Instagram has enabled a new way for accounts that reach large audiences and meet the criteria to request verification through a form within the app. To be verified, an account must comply with Instagram’s terms of service and community guidelines. Instagram will review verification requests to confirm the authenticity, uniqueness, completeness and notability of each account. Visit the Help Center to learn more about Instagram’s verification criteria. Users can access the verification request form, by going to their profile, tapping the menu icon, selecting Settings at the bottom and then choosing Request Verification. The user will need to provide their account username, full name and a copy of their legal or business identification. This information will not be shared publicly.

Submitting a request for verification does not guarantee that the account will be verified. Once the request has been reviewed, the user will receive a notification confirming or declining their request in the notifications tab. Instagram will never request payment for verification or reach out to ask users to confirm verification.

Support for Third-Party Authenticator Apps

Finally, users will soon be able to use third-party authenticator apps to log into their Instagram account. This form of two-factor authentication makes it easier and safer for users to securely log into Instagram. Users can use third-party apps to log into their Instagram account by going to their profile, tapping the menu icon, selecting Settings at the bottom and then choosing Two-Factor Authentication and selecting Authentication App as the preferred form of authentication. If a user already has an authentication app installed, Instagram will automatically find the app and send a login code to it. The user can then go to the app, retrieve the code and enter it on Instagram, and the two-factor authentication will turn on automatically. If the user doesn't have one installed yet, Instagram will send them to the App Store or Google Play Store to download the authenticator app of their choice. Once it has been installed it, they then must return to Instagram to continue setting up the two-factor authentication.

Support for third-party authenticator apps has begun to roll out and will be available to the global community in the coming weeks.

Send me the free DIARY daily of industry updates