LinkedIn, the popular professional social networking platform owned by Microsoft, does offer verified badges for select profiles. The blue checkmark verification badge allows LinkedIn members to showcase that their profile and identity have been authenticated by LinkedIn.
Who can get a LinkedIn verification badge?
LinkedIn states that the verification badges are currently limited to select profiles, with priority given to authentic, notable public figures and brands. Some of the types of profiles that may be eligible for verification include:
- Celebrities
- Athletes
- Public figures
- Brands and organizations
- Media companies and publishers
- Government officials and agencies
- Nonprofit organizations and charities
- Educational institutions
- Notable entrepreneurs and business leaders
Essentially, the blue verification badge serves as a way for influential individuals and brands to distinguish themselves from impersonators or fake accounts. It signals to the LinkedIn community that the account holder is authentic.
What is the verification process?
To be verified on LinkedIn, eligible profiles can apply through the LinkedIn help center. LinkedIn’s team will review each application to ensure the profile meets the criteria. Some of the aspects that LinkedIn looks at include:
- Authenticity – The team checks to confirm the identity of the account holder.
- Notability – The profile should represent a well-known, influential public figure, brand or organization.
- Completeness – The profile should be completely filled out with accurate details about work history, education, etc.
- Activity – There should be regular engagement and posting on the LinkedIn account.
If approved after the review process, LinkedIn will apply the blue verified badge checkmark to the profile. If rejected, the team will provide guidance on steps to take to potentially qualify in the future.
What are the benefits of getting verified?
There are a few key advantages that LinkedIn highlights for getting verified:
- Increased visibility and credibility – The blue checkmark makes it easy for others to identify influential profiles and lends credibility.
- Brand protection – Verification makes it harder for impersonators or fake accounts to misrepresent themselves.
- Expanded reach – Verified accounts may get added exposure and visibility across LinkedIn.
- Premium targeting – Verified accounts can be targeted with LinkedIn’s premium advertising tools.
In summary, the verification badge helps cement an account’s authority and makes it stand out within the crowded LinkedIn landscape. It signals to others that the profile is the “real deal” and worth connecting with.
Do all profiles with verification badges get the same benefits?
While there are common benefits to having a verified profile on LinkedIn, the specific perks may vary depending on the account type. Here are some notable differences:
Profile Type | Verification Benefits |
---|---|
Celebrities and public figures | Increased visibility, credibility and reach. Access to LinkedIn’s talent programs. |
Brands and organizations | Brand protection and targeting capabilities. Unlock additional LinkedIn Pages features. |
Media publishers | Ability to deepen integration with LinkedIn’s Publishing Platform. |
Educational institutions | Eligibility for LinkedIn EDU pages with alumni tracking tools. |
The common thread is that verification provides a level of prioritization and expanded access based on the type of profile. But the specific tools and capabilities unlocked vary across celebrities, brands, media companies, schools, and other account types.
Does verification lead to more connections and engagement?
Overall, yes – LinkedIn verification tends to increase connections and engagement for profiles. Some key statistics:
- Verified profiles gain up to 68% more profile views than unverified profiles.
- Verified accounts gain an average of 25-30% more first-degree connections.
- Posts and content from verified profiles gets up to 37% higher engagement rates.
- Sponsored content from verified accounts gets around 15% more clicks and conversions.
The blue verification badge signals authority and credibility. So LinkedIn users are naturally more inclined to view, connect with and engage with verified profiles – especially those that are already regarded as influential in their industry. The checkmark commands a level of trust and interest.
Do organization profiles get verified differently than personal profiles?
Yes, LinkedIn implements somewhat distinct verification processes for branded organization pages versus individual profiles:
Organization Profile Verification
- Pages must represent real organizations with accurate info.
- Proof of official registration/incorporation must be provided.
- Pages are reviewed for completeness, engagement and relevance.
- Executives and employees can be designated as page managers.
- Larger companies may get access to more advanced Pages features.
Individual Profile Verification
- Profiles must represent real, noteworthy individuals.
- Proof of identity/notability must be provided.
- Profiles are reviewed for accuracy, activity and influence.
- Designated as the sole account representative.
- Get access to expanded LinkedIn platform tools.
So in summary, both go through vetting – but the criteria and benefits tend to be tailored based on whether it is an organization or personal account.
Can you lose your LinkedIn verification badge?
Yes, it is possible to lose a LinkedIn verification badge. Some actions that could potentially result in the loss of verification include:
- Providing inaccurate profile information.
- Exhibiting inappropriate account behavior.
- Violating LinkedIn’s terms of service or community guidelines.
- Having an inactive or abandoned account.
- Committing impersonation or fraud through the account.
- No longer meeting the notability criteria for verification.
- Having major life changes like death or bankruptcy that impact notability.
Additionally, if a verified account is hacked or compromised, LinkedIn may revoke verification until it can be secured again. The badge can be reinstated once issues are addressed, but it depends on the situation. Essentially, verification hinges on maintaining an authentic, active and notable presence on the platform.
What does it mean if a profile doesn’t have a verification badge?
The absence of a verification badge on a LinkedIn profile simply means that the account has not been authenticated by LinkedIn. There are a few common reasons why profiles may lack verification:
- The user has not applied for verification.
- The profile is not active enough to qualify.
- The account holder does not meet notability requirements.
- It is a personal profile for a non-public figure.
- It is a small brand or organization page.
- The verification application was rejected.
- The badge was revoked for violations.
Most regular LinkedIn members don’t have verification badges – they are reserved for influential public figures, brands and entities. Lack of verification doesn’t imply a profile is fake or untrustworthy.
Are verified profiles immune from being banned?
No, having a verified profile does not make an account immune from being banned or restricted by LinkedIn for violations. LinkedIn’s user agreement and community guidelines apply equally to all members – verified or not. Reasons profiles with verification badges could still be banned include:
- Harassment of other users.
- Hate speech or bullying.
- Spam or fake content.
- Scams/fraud.
- Impersonation.
- Copyright violations.
- Illegal or dangerous activity.
If violations are severe enough, LinkedIn will ban and unlink a profile – including revoking a verification badge in the process. Checkmarks do not give profiles free reign to disregard policies.
Should businesses pay for LinkedIn verification?
LinkedIn verification is currently a free, optional process – businesses do not have to pay for the blue checkmark badge. However, some marketing agencies and consultants offer paid verification services, which is unnecessary. The only official way profiles can get verified is through LinkedIn’s free application process.
Some things to keep in mind on paid verification offers:
- LinkedIn does not charge or accept payment for verification.
- Third-parties cannot guarantee checkmarks – only LinkedIn can approve.
- Focus should be on building out an authentic, engaging page organically.
- Paid shortcuts may be against LinkedIn’s terms and could risk rejection.
- Resources are better spent on content and community-building.
While sites may claim they can expedite verification, it’s prudent to avoid any offers requiring payment. LinkedIn’s process is designed to be fair and accessible for all eligible profiles.
What are some alternatives to verification badges?
For profiles that don’t qualify for or need an official verification badge, there are some alternative signals that can still establish credibility and authority on LinkedIn:
- Recommendations – Testimonials from colleagues, employers and clients.
- Honors – Awards, fellowships, honors reflecting expertise.
- Media – Links to published articles, interviews, features.
- Groups – Active membership and engagement in niche groups.
- Followers – Amassing followers through great content.
- Engagement – Regular commenting and sharing others’ posts.
While not the same as a blue verification checkmark, these actions can demonstrate knowledge and trustworthiness organically. For most professionals, focusing on depth of connections and engagement is more beneficial than seeking verification.
Conclusion
In summary, LinkedIn verification badges serve as a signal of authenticity and notability on the platform. The checkmarks are reserved for influential public figures, organizations and brands approved through an application process. Verification comes with some benefits like increased visibility and targeting options. But it is not required for most members to have a strong presence. Regular users can establish credibility through quality content, activity and recommendations instead.