UNiDAYS & Instagram launch verified banners for US students
UNiDAYS and Instagram have formed a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the university student experience on the Instagram platform in the United States.
The partnership enables eligible US college students to display their school or university affiliation on their Instagram profiles through a banner feature, powered by UNiDAYS' verification technology. This verification requires students to have a live, institution-affiliated email address and meet specific eligibility requirements. Use of the feature is optional, and students can add or remove their school information at any time.
This new feature is designed to help up to 18 million US students connect with classmates in a manner that prioritises privacy and trust. According to the companies, the initiative aims to foster a sense of belonging and enable students to easily identify and communicate with real peers from their educational institutions in a digital environment.
Verification for digital trust
Through this partnership, Instagram is leveraging UNiDAYS' student verification tool to provide an additional layer of identity confirmation. The system aims to strike a balance between the need for social networking within educational communities and the importance of safeguarding users from unauthorised or unverified connections.
Jon Hawley, Chief Executive Officer of UNiDAYS, highlighted that the company's approach is based on starting with verified digital identity as the basis for youth experiences online:
"At UNiDAYS, we're committed to creating safer, more rewarding digital experiences for the next generation. We do this by making verification and digital identity a foundation, not a barrier for young people. We're proud to partner with Instagram to champion digital trust and social connection. This new feature, underpinned by our world-leading verification technology, enables students to build more authentic, meaningful, and secure connections online."
Instagram's perspective
The new partnership reflects a broader trend of digital platforms strengthening authentication measures and creating exclusive spaces for specific user demographics.
"We're excited to launch the new schools experience on Instagram for college students in the United States," said Blake Cutler, Director of Product Management at Instagram. "Working with trusted partners like UNiDAYS allows us to help verified students better connect with their friends and fellow classmates in a private, dedicated space that's just for them."
Instagram announced that the move is part of a broader initiative to provide more targeted and secure digital experiences for the student community on its platform. By integrating a visible yet optional marker of university affiliation, students can quickly find and connect with genuine classmates. Participation in the programme remains voluntary, and students can choose when and how they display their verification status.
Wider implications
According to figures cited by both companies, approximately 18 million higher education students in the United States meet the eligibility requirements and could benefit from the new feature. This number is based on recent estimates from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Centre.
The launch of this profile banner is intended not only to improve networking among students for the 2025 academic year but to set a foundation for future student-focused features on Instagram, facilitated by verification capabilities such as those provided by UNiDAYS. The feature is currently exclusive to US college students and is not accessible to the general public or students outside the United States.
The partnership marks a step for both UNiDAYS and Instagram in the development of digital ecosystems with enhanced community controls and verification standards. Students can opt in and manage their profile information to suit their own preferences regarding privacy and visibility.
With this initiative, Instagram and UNiDAYS aim to address concerns around digital impersonation and unauthorised network access while facilitating a more secure environment for students to establish meaningful connections online.
