How to Get Verified on Instagram: 2 Ways to Get Your Blue Check in 2026

Sure, verification can feel like a status symbol, but there are also some really practical reasons you might want that blue check on your Instagram account.

Verification helps Instagram users find real news sources and can help stop impersonation, among other things.

Getting verified adds credibility to any account, which is why so many creators and businesses are interested in that blue check. With Meta Verified, verification is now available to more people through a monthly subscription, not just public figures.

Key takeaways

Two paths to verification: You can get a blue check either through a paid Meta Verified subscription or by proving you are a "notable" public figure.
Meta Verified requirements: Costs start from $14.99/month. You'll also need a government ID, two-factor authentication, and a profile photo showing your face.
Notable figure requirements: Must represent a real, well-known entity with multiple non-paid media mentions and a complete profile.
Core benefits: Verification increases account credibility and provides proactive protection against impersonation.
Timeline: Meta Verified typically takes 48 hours, while notable figure applications can take up to 30 days.

Jump to a section:

What does it mean to be verified on Instagram?
How Meta Verified differs from the standard verified badge
What are the benefits of getting verified on Instagram?
1. Get verified on Instagram with Meta Verified
2. Get verified on Instagram as a notable figure
3 tips to get verified as a notable figure
FAQs about Instagram verification
More Instagram resources

What does it mean to be verified on Instagram?

Being verified on Instagram means your account has been confirmed as belonging to a real, notable person, brand, or entity, or that you've subscribed to Meta Verified. You've almost certainly seen the blue check next to an account's name on Instagram — that's the verification badge in action.

Before the introduction of Meta Verified, that verified badge meant that Instagram had confirmed that the account was both authentic and represented a notable brand or influencer, public figure, or celebrity.

But now Meta Verified offers another route to the verified badge, and Meta (the company that owns Instagram and Facebook) wants to make it clear there's a difference between the two.

How Meta Verified differs from the standard verified badge

Both paths get you the blue check, but Meta does want to make the distinction clear. Here's how they explain it in Instagram's Help Center.

Verified badges mean an account has been verified based on their activity across our products and information or documents they provide.
Meta Verified is a paid subscription that comes with benefits like the verified badge, enhanced support, impersonation protection, and more.

Feature	Meta Verified	Verified badge (notable)
Cost	$14.99 per month	Free
Eligibility	ID verification and active subscription	Public interest and notability
Primary purpose	Validation and account protection	Authenticity for public figures
Key benefit	24/7 email or chat agent support	Authenticity and credibility
Extra perks	Upgraded profile features (e.g., images on links)	None

What are the benefits of getting verified on Instagram?

A verified badge tells Instagram users that an account is authentic. According to Meta, the badge means your profile was verified based on your activity across Meta technologies, or information and documents you provided. In short, it represents who it says it does.

There are a number of benefits to Instagram verification. If you are a brand or business, getting verified could be a powerful tool in your social media marketing strategy:

It adds credibility. This can be key if you're sharing important research, news, or articles.
Verification assists with impersonation issues. Instagram won't verify more than one instance of a person or brand, so you can generally trust that the one that is verified is the real account.
You may have seen claims that verified accounts get higher reach and engagement, but we haven't been able to confirm that.

If you opt to go the Meta Verified subscription route, you can expect some extra benefits:

Account protection. Get added protection from impersonation with proactive account monitoring. Meta will remove accounts that they determine are pretending to be you.
Customer support. Access 24/7 email or chat agent support for subscription and account issues.
Upgraded profile features. Enrich your profile by adding images to your links, which can help boost engagement. (This feature may not be available in all regions yet.)
As previously mentioned, there are rumors of higher reach and engagement with Meta Verified, but I tested Meta Verified and found that it had little effect on my content performance.

It's also worth noting that Meta Verified is available for both individual creators and businesses, with plans tailored to each.

1. Get verified on Instagram with Meta Verified

As I mentioned earlier, there are two ways to get your verified badge on Instagram. The easiest is through Meta Verified. Here's how to go that route.

Step 1. Make sure you meet the Meta Verified eligibility requirements

To subscribe to Meta Verified, you'll need:

To be at least 18 years old
A public or private profile that's associated with your full name and has a profile photo that includes your face
To meet minimum activity requirements, such as prior posting history
A valid photo ID that matches your profile name and profile picture
Two-factor authentication is enabled on your profile
To follow Instagram's Terms of Use and Community Guidelines

Step 2. Sign up for Meta Verified via Instagram

Head over to your Instagram profile by tapping your profile picture on the bottom right of the app.
Tap the hamburger menu (the three lines on the top right).
Choose Meta Verified. Read through the explainer, then tap Next.
Choose which Meta accounts you'd like verified.
Confirm and pay. Meta often offers a discounted first month, so keep an eye out for that. From here on out, you'll be charged the Meta Verified monthly subscription fee unless you cancel, and you can cancel anytime. It could take up to 48 hours for your blue check (and all the benefits) to appear.

⚡ Keep in mind: Features, availability, and pricing may vary by region and app, so what you see might differ slightly depending on where you are.

2. Get verified on Instagram as a notable figure

This route to getting Instagram verification may be free, but there are a few more hoops to jump through. You'll need to request your verified badge from Instagram.

Here's a step-by-step guide to the verification process for notable figures.

Step 1. Follow standard best practices on Instagram (easy)

To be eligible for your verified badge, you'll need to meet a few requirements:

You have to follow Instagram's Terms of Use and Community Guidelines. (That involves things like not spreading false or misleading information, hateful conduct, and violence, which Meta takes really seriously)
You have to represent a real person
You need to represent the unique presence of that person or business (only one account per person/business can be verified)
And you have to have a complete profile: that means a profile picture, a bio, and a public, active account

Step 2. Prove that you are a notable account (more difficult)

To get your verified badge on Instagram for free, you'll need to prove that you are notable, which will be easier for some than others. Being notable means you “represent a well-known, highly searched-for person or entity,” according to Instagram.

Instagram looks for accounts that have been featured in multiple news sources. Paid and promotional content don't count.

Step 3. Submit an application to Instagram (easy)

The actual application for getting your verified badge isn't too bad; you do it right from within your own Instagram account.

Here's how to request to be verified on Instagram:

From your Instagram account, tap on the hamburger menu in the top right corner.
In the For professionals section, tap Creator/Business tools and controls (The button name will depend on whether you have an Instagram Creator account or Business account.)
Tap Request verification at the bottom of the page.
Fill out the form (you'll be asked for an identification document like a driver's license or passport, your creator category, and links to various articles and other sites you are featured in). When you've filled it all out, hit Submit.

You will be notified on the Instagram app within 30 days if your application for a verified badge is successful. If you don't get verified, you can apply again in 30 days.

❗Important: If you apply more than once before Instagram reviews your first application, they'll cancel it entirely. So it's worth waiting rather than accidentally hurting your chances.

3 tips to get verified as a notable figure

Getting verified as a notable figure isn't easy, but there are things you can do to improve your chances of Instagram verification.

1. Grow your following on Instagram

Instagram verifies accounts that are active on the platform, so stay active while working to grow your account. While follower count isn't a verification requirement, a strong audience and consistent engagement can work hard for you.

Here are some resources to help you grow:

Check out our complete guide to Instagram growth or dive into Instagram for small businesses.
Learn the ins and outs of the Instagram algorithm and figure out the best time to post on Instagram.
Stay consistent with your posting schedule and check your analytics to see what kinds of posts are performing best. You can try Buffer for free to set up a consistent posting schedule across Instagram posts, reels, and Instagram Stories.

💡

Bookmark this page to keep an eye on the latest Instagram tips and updates.

2. Get media mentions

Start by reaching out to publications you think would genuinely be interested in your story or what you do. Share your angle and make it easy for them to say yes.

If you have the budget, you can also hire a publicist or PR agency to help as part of your marketing strategy.

3. Be strategic about when you apply

If you don't have a really strong case for being verified, be strategic about when you send off that request. Is a reel of yours going viral right now? That's a great time to apply.

If you're after your public figure verification badge on Instagram, the best approach is to work your way up gradually. Over time, you can grow your following and prove your notability, which will significantly help the success rate of your application.

If you're off to apply for that verification right now, good luck to you! 🍀Buffer's here to make your life easier as you grow your following (and hopefully get verified) on Instagram.

🌱

We've pulled together 24 free tools to help you grow your Instagram account.

FAQs about Instagram verification

How do I get verified on Instagram?

You have two options:

Meta Verified (paid): Go to your profile, tap the menu, pick Meta Verified, follow the ID check, and pay. The blue badge usually appears within 48 hours.
Notable figure verification (free): In settings, tap Account type and tools → Request verification. Upload a government ID and share links that prove press coverage or public interest. Instagram reviews these requests in up to 30 days.

Can anyone get verified on Instagram?

Almost. Anyone 18 or older can subscribe to Meta Verified after passing an ID check. The free, notability-based badge is limited to accounts that Instagram deems authentic, unique, complete, and widely recognized in the media or public search.

How many followers do you need to get verified on Instagram?

Neither route requires a minimum follower count. For Meta Verified, you just need to be at least 18 and pass an ID check. For the free, notability-based badge, there's no follower threshold, but you do need to prove you're widely recognized, typically through multiple media mentions. A larger, active following can strengthen that case, but it's not a hard requirement.

How long does it take to get verified on Instagram?

Requesting verification as a public figure takes about 30 days. Getting Meta Verified happens much faster, usually within 48 hours.

Do you have to pay to get verified on Instagram?

Not necessarily. If you meet Instagram's notability criteria — meaning your account is authentic, unique, complete, and widely covered in the press — you can apply for the free verified badge. If you don't meet that bar, a Meta Verified subscription ($14.99/month) is the straightforward alternative.

How much does a Meta Verified subscription cost?

Meta verification starts at $14.99 a month for individual creator accounts. Prices can change and may differ by region, so check the total at checkout. You can find the latest plans and pricing here.

What if Instagram rejects my verification request?

You can reapply after 30 days. Before you do, strengthen your profile: secure media mentions, stay active, and make sure your bio, photo, and posts clearly show who you are. It's not uncommon for people to get rejected the first time, so don't be discouraged. And remember, Meta Verified is always an option if you'd prefer a more straightforward path to that blue check.

More Instagram resources

from Buffer Resources https://ift.tt/DhZuUd0 How to Get Verified on Instagram: 2 Ways to Get Your Blue Check in 2026