Facebook verification: this is how you get a blue tick for your Facebook page or profile.

This is how you really get a blue tick on Facebook:

This is the only article you need to read about the blue tick on Facebook. Here you will learn how you can really get the coveted verification on Facebook. I've been dealing with this topic for years and I also have the blue tick on Facebook myself.

Why is there a blue tick on Facebook?

The blue checkmark testifies to the authenticity of a profile. This is how Facebook wants to protect users from fake accounts on their own page.
You can apply for the blue tick for your official Facebook page or for your private profile. However, there can be only one verified profile on Facebook. Therefore, you have to decide which of the two you want to verify.
If you try to verify both profiles, you will receive the following email:

Advantages private account:

• Your friends list limit with 5,000 friends
• It contains information about the user (hobbies, education, place of residence, family circumstances, etc.).
• Only the profile owner can edit the profile and post messages.
• Networking is done via friend requests. The limit is 5,000 friends.
• Privacy settings allow you to set exactly who can see what information of your profile and who cannot.
• Assigning friends to lists makes it easier to make posts visible to specific groups of people or to exclude them.
• Posts from profiles are preferred by the Facebook algorithm.
• In its terms of use, Facebook prescribes some rules that apply to profiles and that you should adhere to urgently:
• Only one personal profile per person is allowed.
• Profiles are not intended for primarily commercial use.
• A profile is not transferable without Facebook's consent.

Advantage Facebook Page:

• Ads, followers, add more tools like store, more insights to audience / target group
• This is referred to as fans or subscribers.
• Page contributions are always public, but target groups can be posted.
• Pages are found in search engines and the content can be viewed even when logged out.
• Pages can place advertisements.
• There is no limit to the number of fans.
• More fields and functions are available: Contact, Links, Location, Visits, Ratings, etc.
• Page contributions can be scheduled.
• Extensive statistics are available.
• An imprint obligation applies.

These are the official specifications from Facebook:

The page or profile must not only comply with Facebook's Terms of Use and Community Standards,
but also the following criteria:

• Be authentic: The page or profile must represent a real person, registered business or organization.
• Be unique: The person or company has only this one page or profile. Only one page or profile can be verified per person or company. Exceptions apply to pages or profiles in other languages. We do not verify pages or profiles for general interests (example: puppy memes).
• Be complete: The page or profile needs an "About" section, a page or profile picture, details about recent activities, and at least one post.
• Be well-known: The page or profile must represent a well-known person, brand, or organization that is often searched for. We review pages and profiles that are mentioned in multiple news sources. We do not consider paid content or advertising as sources.

However, this will not help you much.

‍Inpractice, it is important to have a certain relevance. What does that mean exactly?

That can be a big YouTube account, a Wikipedia entry, a successful podcast, articles and posts in major publications, TV appearance or participation in a show, author of a book, musician, entrepreneur / company, politician, gamer, influencer or professional athlete. Basically, the blue checkmark on Facebook was created to show followers which account is the "real" one. Therefore, it is certainly advantageous to be able to show that there are several fake accounts for your own person. The same applies to companies.

Experience has shown that the fast track is when you can demonstrate these requirements:

• Google Knowledge Graph (not to be confused with Google My Business)
• Wikipedia entry
• Press articles with your name in the title (which is not marked as advertising)

However, having a blue tick on Facebook doesn't mean that it automatically gets you one on Instagram. However, it is more likely.

Important: the blue tick on Facebook cannot be bought and providers who sell a blue tick on Facebook are dubious. Even if a Facebook employee would verify your profile, it would not last long. Why not? Because Facebook would take it away from you after a very short time, since certain criteria have to be met for the blue tick. Even if you meet all the criteria, are verified, and then violate Facebook's policies, the blue tick can be revoked.

The good news is that it's much easier to get a blue tick from Facebook than from Instagram or Twitter.

You are sufficiently informed? Let's get it started:

1. Click here for the official Facebook verification form: https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/295038365360854
2. Choose a page or profile
3. Upload a document type. For individuals, this is usually a driver's license, ID card or passport; for companies, it can be an excerpt from the commercial register, an electricity or telephone bill, or tax documents.
4. Choose your category. Your category is not listed? Then choose "other
5. Choose your country
6. Name your audience. Do your followers have a specific name? Why do they follow you? What are their interests?
7. You have a pen name or the name of your company differs from the official name, which is in the commercial register? Then you can indicate this under "also known as".  
8. Facebook also wants proof that you meet the criteria for Facebook verification. This is probably the most important step in filling out the form. Here you can add links from PR articles, posts, TV shows, other profiles like Spotify, YouTube, Wikipedia, Amazon, IMDB, etc. Or you already have other verified social media profiles? Then you can add them here.

You have signed up in the Facebook form? Here's the good news: unlike Instagram, Facebook's feedback doesn't take 2-3 weeks to arrive. With Facebook's verification process, you'll usually get feedback on your application a few minutes after submitting the completed form. If you do not meet the criteria, you will receive the following email:

‍

However, don't let this discourage you, I got this email myself about 20-30 times before I was verified. Use this time to build your relevance and online presence.

Once you meet Facebook's criteria, you will receive this email:

Congratulations! 🥳

Facebook may also ask you for more information about yourself. That's a good sign! With this, you are "one round further", so to speak. Here I would recommend to enter all important info in a PDF and explain all content briefly, ideally in English. To give an example: You appeared on TV with your start-up on "Die Höhle der Löwen". It may be that the processor at Facebook does not know "Die Höhle der Löwen". However, if you explain that it is the German equivalent of "Shark Tank" and "Dragon's Den," he knows about the relevance of the show.

This is how the verified Facebook profile will look with a "blue tick": 

Final tip: If you don't have a knowledge entry on Google or a Wikipedia article and you are neither a professional athlete, author, musician nor a TV personality, PR is the easiest way for you to get a blue tick on Facebook. However, it is important to note that the posts and articles must not be ads / paid posts. These do not count. Therefore, I can only advise you against paid articles.

I wish you success in applying for the blue tick for your profile! 

If it worked out, feel free to write me a message :)