Having a verified LinkedIn account can lend credibility and authority to your personal brand and establish you as an expert in your field. LinkedIn verification is usually reserved for public figures, celebrities, brands and influential professionals. Getting that coveted blue verification badge next to your name takes some work, but the benefits are worth it.
What is LinkedIn verification?
LinkedIn verification provides confirmation that a LinkedIn account belongs to the real public figure, celebrity, brand or entity it claims to represent. Verified accounts have a blue checkmark badge next to their name to indicate the account’s authenticity.
Verification helps distinguish official brand and celebrity accounts from impersonators or fake accounts. It’s LinkedIn’s way of guaranteeing the account holder is who they say they are.
Benefits of a verified LinkedIn account
There are several advantages to having a verified LinkedIn account:
- Increased credibility and authority – The blue verification badge signals you are an expert and influential in your industry.
- Higher visibility and reach – Verified accounts stand out in search and can gain more Engagement.
- Brand differentiation – Verification makes your brand or personal account easily distinguishable from competitors or imposters trying to imitate you.
- HigherEngagement – Users tend to Engage more with verified accounts since they are deemed more trustworthy.
- Professional validation – Verification provides external confirmation of your expertise and status as an established professional.
LinkedIn verification requirements
LinkedIn has strict criteria for verifying accounts. To qualify, you must:
- Be a real public figure, celebrity, brand or entity
- Authentically represent a real organization, brand, or entity
- Have a public presence outside of LinkedIn
- Have a complete LinkedIn profile with an accurate photo of yourself or your brand
- Not have any violations of LinkedIn’s User Agreement or Professional Community Policies on your account
Essentially, LinkedIn wants to verify accounts that are influential in the real world, have an established identity outside of LinkedIn, and will add value to the platform for other members.
How to get verified on LinkedIn
You cannot request LinkedIn verification directly. LinkedIn proactively reaches out to accounts that meet their verification criteria. However, there are a few things you can do to get on their radar:
- Build your LinkedIn presence – Develop a robust LinkedIn profile highlighting your accomplishments, publications, media appearances, speaking engagements, etc. Engage regularly by posting content and joining Groups.
- Gain external credibility – Establish yourself as an industry leader outside of LinkedIn. Get published, speak at conferences, demonstrate media influence, build a personal website and brand.
- Show influence on LinkedIn – Amass a large number of followers and Engagement on your posts. Aim for thousands of followers and high interaction. LinkedIn will take notice.
- Use an authentic profile photo – Have a clear, professional headshot photo representing your real identity. No cartoons, logos, or graphics.
- Partner with LinkedIn when possible – If you have a substantial audience, explore partnership opportunities with LinkedIn. This gives them incentive to verify you.
- Apply for verification directly – There is no harm in contacting LinkedIn’s verification team to inquire about the verification process for your account. Be prepared to explain how you meet the criteria.
Gaining a large, engaged audience on LinkedIn and demonstrating your offline influence are key to getting LinkedIn’s attention and consideration for verification.
Tips for getting verified
Here are some additional tips to boost your chances of getting that coveted blue checkmark:
- Link to your website and other social profiles that establish your credentials
- Highlight press mentions, media appearances, speaking engagements, awards
- Use an official brand or company email when possible
- Showcase thought leadership by publishing long-form posts and articles
- Build relationships with those who are already verified
- Authentically grow your audience of followers
- Be patient – LinkedIn verification often takes time
Things to avoid
There are also some things you’ll want to avoid if you want to get verified on LinkedIn:
- Buying followers or Engagement
- Using bots, automation or third-party apps to grow your presence
- Aggressive follow-for-follow techniques
- Spamming members with connection requests or messages
- Violating LinkedIn’s policies or terms of service
- Having an incomplete or low-quality profile
LinkedIn aims to verify accounts with an authentic, earned credibility and influence. Anything perceived as artificial or inauthentic could jeopardize your chances.
Maintaining verification
Getting that blue checkmark is just the first step. Maintaining your verified status requires staying active on LinkedIn and keeping your profile and activity in line with LinkedIn’s guidelines.
Tips for maintaining verification include:
- Posting and Engaging regularly
- Keeping your profile and company information updated
- Responding to messages and comments from your followers
- Avoiding spam, automation, or fake Engagement tactics
- Promptly reporting impersonator accounts
- Staying aligned to LinkedIn’s User Agreement and policies
If you fail to uphold LinkedIn’s standards, they may remove your verification. But if you continue building your presence and adding value to the community, your blue badge should be safe.
Appealing if verification is removed
In some cases, LinkedIn may decide to remove verification from an account. Reasons can include:
- Too much user-generated content vs original posts
- Using third-party apps or sites to artificially boost Engagement
- Purchasing followers or likes
- Violating LinkedIn’s Professional Community Policies
- Changing the account name or purpose
- Insufficient profile information
- Merging a personal and business profile
If your verification is removed, you can appeal the decision by:
- Checking your notifications for details on why verification was removed
- Updating your profile or activities to realign with LinkedIn’s policies
- Crafting a professional response explaining how you meet the verification criteria
- Including links or attachments supporting your qualifications for verification
- Being patient as LinkedIn thoroughly re-reviews your account
There is no guarantee your appeal will be successful. But clearly demonstrating how your profile and presence aligns with LinkedIn’s expectations gives you the best shot at regaining verification.
Conclusion
Getting verified on LinkedIn takes persistence, patience and meeting LinkedIn’s standards for credibility. Focus on authentically building your brand and influence both on and off the platform. Avoid shortcuts that undermine your authority. With a comprehensive profile and content that highlights your expertise, you can position yourself to earn that coveted blue checkmark.