How to Get Verified on Instagram

The bad news is that we cannot verify your account on Instagram. But the good news is that we know what it takes to get that blue badge.

Let's walk you through it.

Obtaining that little blue checkmark to prove Instagram verification takes a bit of admin to get sorted, but it's worth it – since it can significantly boost your brand’s credibility and protect your identity. 

It tells people that your profile is the real deal. Verified accounts make it tricky for any fraudsters to impersonate you or your brand.

On Instagram, verified accounts tend to rank higher in search results for their name, which is a nice perk for Instagram SEO.

There are two ways to get verified on Instagram – either directly or via Meta Verified. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to get verified on Instagram with one of these methods and what Brandwatch can do to help. We’ll explain eligibility requirements, the step-by-step verification process, and a few tricks to improve your chances of approval.

How to apply for a verified badge on Instagram (the free method)

In order to submit a verification request through the Instagram app, you'll need to meet the eligibility criteria. 

In short, your account must be authentic, unique, complete, and notable. That means it's a real account; you only have one, and you've completed your profile. Notability is a bit more tricky – a good number of people should already know about you or your brand, but knowing exactly how many is the hard part.

You can apply for a verified badge if you believe you meet the eligibility criteria (or you’re feeling lucky!).

Here’s a step-by-step walkthrough to request verification.

Step 1: Go to your profile settings

From your Instagram profile, tap the menu icon (the three horizontal lines at the top-right). In the menu, tap on “Account type and tools”.

Within that section, you’ll be able to tap “Request Verification”.

Step 2: Tap “Request Verification”

This opens the verification request form in the app. You should see a page titled “Apply for Instagram verification” (with your account username pre-filled).

Step 3: Confirm your authenticity (identity)

The first part of the form will ask you to verify your identity. You’ll need to provide your full name as it appears on your ID. 

You'll also need to upload an image of your supporting document (for a person, this could be a driver’s license or passport; for a business, you can use business incorporation documents, tax filings, or a utility bill in the company name).

Step 4: Confirm your notability

The form will then ask for information to establish that you or your brand are “notable” enough to warrant verification. 

You'll need to select the category you work in and provide a brief description of your audience and what you’re known for. For instance, you might say, “Tech journalist and author featured in XYZ Magazine” or “Indie fashion brand with designs worn by celebrities.”

You'll also be prompted to include the names of any other aliases or accounts you have (if other names know you or your brand).

At this point, you can include some optional links that show your notability. This is an important section – you should provide links to things like news articles, press features, or other social media profiles that have a large following. 

While these additional links are marked “optional” in the form, it’s highly recommended that you fill out everything you can to strengthen your case. Treat this like a mini PR package for your account – you want to convince the reviewer that you’re prominent and at risk of impersonation.

Step 5: Submit your request

Double-check that all info is correct and that your attachments are properly uploaded, then tap the “Submit” button. Once submitted, the form will be sent off to the Instagram verification team for review.

What happens next?

After you submit the verification form, you have to wait for Instagram to review your application. According to Instagram, it can take up to 30 days to hear back (in many cases, it’s faster, but don’t panic if you don’t get an immediate response). 

You will get a notification in your Instagram app Activity feed telling you whether your verification request was approved or denied.

If your request is approved, your profile will now display a blue verified badge next to your name. Once verified, you cannot change your username or transfer the verification to a different account, so make sure you’re happy with your @handle before you apply.

If your request is denied, you can apply again after 30 days. Many verified accounts are not approved on the first try, even if they meet the basic requirements. 

Meta Verified: How to get the blue check via paid subscription

If the traditional route isn’t working out, Meta Verified offers an alternate path to Instagram verification – for a price. 

Meta Verified is a subscription service introduced by Meta (Facebook) that provides a verified badge along with additional benefits.

The price may vary slightly by region, but this subscription covers verification for both your Instagram and Facebook accounts if you link them – you get two verifications for the price of one, as long as both accounts are in the same name.

In terms of eligibility, you must be 18+, have a real name and profile photo, and provide a valid ID that matches. If you’re a business or your Instagram profile name doesn’t match your ID, you can't currently use Meta Verified.

Step 1: Go to the verification section

Go to your profile settings in the Instagram app and tap “Meta Verified.” 

You should see a blurb about the service and a button at the bottom that says “Unlock benefits.” Tap that link.

Step 2: Join the waitlist (if prompted)

In some regions, or if the program is at capacity, Instagram might put you on a waiting list for Meta Verified. 

If so, you’ll need to wait until you’re notified that you can proceed. In many places, you can likely subscribe immediately.

Step 3: Submit your ID and payment

The app will guide you through verifying your identity. 

You’ll need to upload a photo of your ID (most likely a driver’s license or passport) and make sure any official business documents match the name on your account. 

Meta may also require a selfie video for verification in some cases. Once your identity is confirmed, you’ll be prompted to set up the subscription payment.

Step 4: Enjoy your new blue check

After everything is processed, your Instagram account will get the verified badge. Your Facebook profile or page with the same name may also be verified as part of the bundle if your Instagram account is linked. You can now take advantage of the Meta Verified perks immediately.

Tips to improve your chances of getting verified (and mistakes to avoid)

Earning that blue tick, especially through the free verification route, isn’t easy – Instagram rejects most requests. 

Here are some actionable tips to help increase your odds of success.

Optimize your profile to look credible

Before applying, you should ensure you give your Instagram profile a glow-up. 

Use your real name or your brand’s name as the username (or at least prominently in the profile). 

Complete your bio and profile picture, and don't forget to include contact info or a link to your official website. The goal is for your profile to appear legitimate and "official".

Build a strong presence online

Remember the notability requirement – aim to boost your profile outside of Instagram. 

Press coverage is gold for verification. If you’re a business, pitch your story to news outlets or industry blogs. If you’re an individual, try participating in notable events or projects that might get media attention.

Instagram’s guidelines explicitly mention multiple news sources as a factor, so being in the press significantly helps.

Want to get more press attention? Discover how Brandwatch and Cision can help supercharge your PR and comms.

Increase your searchability

Though we don't know Instagram's exact verification process, it's suspected that they check if people are searching for your name in the app. 

This means that your discoverability matters – you should check that when people search your name, they find you easily.

Press coverage and branded hashtags can help boost the number of people searching for you. The more people look you up, the more “notable” you appear in Instagram’s data.

Drive conversation about you/your brandIf many users are talking about or mentioning you, it signals that you’re a public figure of interest. 

Perhaps the best way to get people chatting is to engage your community – for example, collaborate with other creators or brands to tap into new audiences. 

You could also use social listening to your advantage. Monitor your brand mentions across social media and the web. Our tool, Brandwatch Consumer Research, is perfect for this – it can track every time your brand or name is mentioned across millions of online sources in real-time.

By knowing where and how frequently people talk about you, you can strategize ways to amplify that chatter.

>> Read our social listening guide and discover more

Stay active and engage followers

An inactive account is unlikely to be verified, so it's important to post consistently and keep your audience engaged. 

Active, vibrant accounts appear more credible and are more likely to get the blue check. (Plus, if you’re using Meta Verified, you’ll want to make the most of it by growing your community.)

Ensure cross-platform authenticity

You can signpost to Meta that your Instagram profile is part of an interconnected web of owned media and improve your chances of being verified.

It's good practice to add a link to your Instagram on your website and other social media profiles. For example, you could have an Instagram button on your website’s footer.

Likewise, provide a link to your website or other official pages from your Instagram bio. This cross-verification doesn’t guarantee an Instagram badge, but it reinforces that you are who you claim to be and helps prevent confusion with imposters.

Get verified elsewhere (if possible)

This is anecdotal, but some people find that if they are verified on other social platforms (like X or LinkedIn), it can indirectly help their Instagram case. It shows you have a public persona. 

Facebook verification might carry weight since the site is owned by the same parent company as Instagram.

Instagram states that verification on one platform isn’t automatically transferable to the other. Hopefully, you get Meta Verified across your accounts but don't presume you will.

Avoid any policy violations

This should go without saying, but ensure you follow Instagram’s rules closely. Don’t buy fake followers or engage in spammy behavior. Instagram can detect inauthentic activity, which will hurt your credibility.

Essentially, be a model user. Verification is somewhat subjective, and you don’t want to give reviewers any easy reason to say no.

Don’t give up (but be patient)

If you don’t succeed at first, spend time bolstering your profile and try again later. It’s not uncommon to apply multiple times before being approved.

Just remember to space out your attempts (30 days apart), and each time, try to come back with a stronger presence than before – more press mentions, more followers, a cleaner profile, etc.

Conclusion: Earn your blue check and keep building your brand

Whether you go for verification through the Instagram route or subscribe to Meta Verified, getting that blue check can be a game-changer. It’s not just about prestige; it’s about establishing trust with your audience, safeguarding your identity, and unlocking new opportunities.

Now you know how to get verified on Instagram, it's time to engage your community, create excellent content, and expand your influence beyond the platform. Only then will you secure a verified badge on your Instagram account.

If you want to supercharge your Instagram strategy, consider investing in tools to help you work smarter. For instance, Brandwatch Consumer Research can help you dig into consumer insights and join trending conversations. At the same time, Brandwatch Social Media Management offers an all-in-one platform to schedule content, monitor your mentions, and engage with your followers across channels.

Both of these strategies will keep your profile active and boost your profile, which helps when you're applying for a verification badge.

The magic of Brandwatch’s tools is that they can guide you in building an authentic, standout brand on Instagram and beyond. With the right strategy – and perhaps a little blue checkmark – you’ll be well on your way to Instagram success.