How to Get Verified on Instagram in 2026

There are two ways to get verified on Instagram:

1) Subscribe to Meta Verified (from between $14.99 and $499.99 per month). This is a paid monthly subscription for eligible creators and businesses. You don’t need to be a celebrity or have extensive media coverage, but you must complete Meta’s identity and/or business-verification process.

2) Apply for free verification. This legacy route is intended for notable public figures, celebrities, brands, and organizations with significant independent media coverage.

Both methods give you the same blue check, and the badge doesn’t show whether an account is verified through a subscription or Instagram’s free notability-based process.

There’s also no minimum follower requirement. 

Which route suits you will therefore depend on whether you meet Instagram’s notability requirements and whether you want the additional features included with a paid subscription.

Instagram verification methods at a glance

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Requirements to get a blue check on Instagram

1) Meta Verified eligibility (paid subscription):

Meta Verified has different eligibility requirements for individuals, creators and businesses.

Individuals and creators

Individuals and creators generally need to:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have an eligible personal account or professional (creator) account.
• Use a profile name and photo that meet Meta’s profile name requirements and can be matched to a valid government-issued photo ID.
• Have an active account with a previous posting history.
• Enable two-factor authentication (Accounts Center > Password and security > Two-factor authentication)
• Follow Instagram’s Terms of Use and Community Standards.

Businesses

Businesses need an eligible professional (business) account and must be able to confirm their business details with relevant official business documents.

If you plan to subscribe through a business portfolio in Meta Business Suite, instead of the Instagram app, you’ll also need to:

• Connect the Instagram account to an eligible business portfolio.
• Have full control of that portfolio.

Related article: How to Switch From a Personal to a Professional Instagram Account

How to check if you’re eligible for Meta Verified 

In Instagram, open your profile, tap the menu in the top-right corner and look for Meta Verified under Subscriptions. If it isn’t listed, Meta Verified is probably not available for your account or region.

Businesses can also check through Meta Business Suite > Settings > Meta Verified. Depending on availability, you may see the option to subscribe or join a waitlist.

2) Free verified badge eligibility (notability-based)

The traditional method of free verification is intended for notable people, brands and organizations.

To be eligible, your account must meet all four of Instagram’s criteria:

1. Authentic. It represents a real person, registered business or organization.
2. Unique. It's the only account for that person or business (language-specific accounts are the exception). Fan, meme and general-interest accounts are not normally eligible.
3. Complete. It's public and active, with a bio and profile photo.
4. Notable. You're well known and frequently searched for, with coverage in several independent news sources.
   ‍Note: paid placements, sponsored posts and press releases don't count as evidence of notability.

There's also no minimum follower count. For example, a smaller account may still qualify if the person or business is genuinely notable.

What does the blue check on Instagram mean?

The blue check means Instagram has confirmed the account is who it says it is: either because the person or brand is notable, or because they've paid for Meta Verified and passed an ID check. It doesn't mean Instagram endorses the account or considers its owner an authority or expert.

What are the benefits of getting verified?

The primary benefit of a verified badge is trust. It helps your followers, customers and potential partners identify your genuine account and distinguish it from impersonators.

Meta Verified subscriptions include additional benefits (on top of the verified badge), which vary by account type, subscription plan and country. These may include:

• Protection from impersonators. Meta monitors for accounts that may be pretending to represent you or your business.
• Prioritized customer support. Higher-tier business plans include faster responses, callback requests and active case monitoring.
• Greater visibility in business-name searches: Some plans can place your account at or near the top of Instagram search results when someone searches for your exact business name. 
• Personalised content strategy advice: Selected higher-tier plans include access to a Meta adviser who can review your content and offer recommendations based on your account and goals.

If Instagram approves you for the free, notability badge, you can still choose to subscribe to Meta Verified for additional benefits. This is optional and it won't affect or change your blue check.

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Option 1: Get verified on Instagram with Meta Verified

Meta Verified is a paid monthly subscription that lets eligible creators and businesses get a blue check without demonstrating public notability or independent press coverage.

Important: Meta Verified is beginning to transition to Meta One, a new subscription service, which will change the plans, prices and features available through Meta Verified. If the change applies to your account, Meta will provide instructions during the transition.

To subscribe to Meta Verified through Instagram:

Step 1: Open Meta Verified

Open your Instagram profile and tap the menu (☰) in the top-right corner, then select Meta Verified. 

If you don’t see it, go to the Accounts Center and find Meta Verified.

Step 2: Choose your account and subscription

Select the Instagram account you want to verify, then review the plans, prices and benefits available for that account. 

If you also have an eligible Facebook profile in the same Accounts Center, you may be offered a discounted subscription covering both profiles.

Step 3: Complete verification and submit

Meta will show the verification methods available for your account:

• Individuals and creators will usually need to provide a valid government-issued photo ID that matches their profile name and photo. Meta may also request a selfie video.
• Businesses may be asked to confirm their business details and the applicant’s connection to the organization. This could involve providing official business documents, uploading a government-issued photo ID or securely confirming the business’s details through its bank account using Trustly.

Complete the payment if prompted, submit the requested information, and wait for Meta to review your application..

Note: Businesses can also subscribe through Meta Business Suite. This may be more convenient if you already use it to manage multiple Meta assets. See our complete guide to Meta Verified for that step-by-step process.

What happens after you apply?

Meta will review your account and the identity or business information you submitted and you should receive a notification with its decision within 48 hours. 

If your application is approved, the blue check will appear on your profile and your subscription benefits will become available. 

Otherwise, If Meta needs more information before making a decision, it will prompt you to complete an additional verification step.

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Option 2: Apply for the free notability Instagram badge

Instagram’s free verification route is for notable public figures, creators, brands and organizations. There’s no subscription fee, but you must apply through the Instagram mobile app and provide evidence of your identity and public notability.

Step 1: Open the verification form

Open your Instagram profile and tap the menu (☰) in the top-right corner. Select Professional dashboard, tap the settings icon, then choose Request verification.

Don’t see this option? Look for Account type and tools instead. Depending on your account, it may appear as Creator tools and controls or Business tools and controls.

Step 2: Confirm your identity

Enter your full legal name and upload an accepted form of identification, such as a passport, driving licence or national identity card.

If you’re applying for a business, you can provide official documents such as articles of incorporation, a tax filing or a recent utility bill.

Step 3: Describe your account and audience

Select the category that best describes you or your organization, followed by your country or region. You can also add information about your audience, although this is optional.

Step 4: Prove your notability and submit

Add links to independent news coverage that demonstrates public interest in you or your organization. We recommend you focus on established publications that discuss you in meaningful detail.

Keep in mind that paid articles, sponsored content, press releases and content you published yourself don’t count as independent coverage.

Once you’ve added your strongest evidence, review the application and tap Submit.

What happens after you apply?

Instagram will review your request and send its decision to the Activity section of the app, usually within 30 days. While you’re waiting, don’t submit another application, as applying again before Instagram has made a decision may cancel your existing request.

What if Instagram rejects your request?

If Instagram rejects your application, you can apply again after 30 days. Use that time to check that your profile information is complete and consistent, and strengthen your application with better independent evidence of notability.

However, if you simply don’t meet Instagram’s notability requirements, submitting the same application again is unlikely to change the outcome. In that case, Meta Verified may be a more suitable alternative, provided it’s available for your account and you meet its eligibility requirements.

Can Instagram remove a verified badge?

Yes. Instagram may remove your verified badge, or take further action against the account, if you:

• Advertise, sell or attempt to transfer the badge.
• Use your profile name, photo or bio to promote services that violate Instagram’s Community Standards or Terms of Use.
• Attempt to obtain verification through an unauthorised third party. (spoiler alert: it's a scam)
• Repeatedly switch the account between public and private.

Remember: Meta Verified is the only legitimate way to pay for Instagram verification. Be wary of anyone who guarantees approval, sells badges or asks for your password, as using an unauthorized service could put both your badge and account at risk.

Tips to improve your chances of free verification

1. Prioritize independent editorial coverage

If you want Instagram to see you as notable, give people a genuine reason to talk about you. Podcast appearances, expert commentary and industry or community events can raise your profile and lead to independent media coverage. Keep your website and official profiles up to date too, so Instagram can easily connect that coverage to you.

2. Make your identity easy to confirm

‍Use a consistent name, profile photo and description across Instagram, your website and other official profiles. Linking to Instagram from your official website and connecting it to your business Facebook Page can also make the relationship easier to confirm. ‍

Related article: How to Link Instagram to a Facebook Page

3. Distinguish your account clearly

‍If your business has a common name, use your bio, website and location details to make it clear which organization the account represents. Instagram shouldn’t have to choose between several unrelated businesses with nearly identical profiles.

4. Build genuine public interest

‍There’s no minimum follower count, and a large audience alone won’t secure verification. However, authentic followers, original content and genuine engagement can help demonstrate real public interest.