Instagram verification classifies certain user profiles as accounts owned by a notable person, brand, or entity, or one subscribed to Meta Verified. Verified profiles are shown with a blue check mark next to the username. Businesses can get verified in two ways. This guide will break down the different options so you can determine which one is right for your business.
What is Instagram verification?
There are two ways to get that coveted blue check mark on Instagram:
- Verified badges show that an account is verified based on its activity across Instagram/Meta’s products, as well as information the account owners provide. This is the legacy system that’s been established essentially since the platform’s rise to popularity.
- Meta Verified is a paid subscription. It’s targeted more toward businesses and influencers seeking to establish credibility. Along with the verified badge, this option offers account support, impersonation protection, and more.
Let’s tackle the first option. Verified badges confirm that a person or company is who the account claims to represent. Instagram states, “The verified badge is a tool to help people find the real accounts of people and brands. If an account has the verified badge, we've confirmed that it represents who it says it does.”
To maintain trust in the verified badge, profiles that have added this feature cannot change their username or transfer verification to a different account.
Meta Verified is available in two versions: one for creators and one for businesses. Meta Verified for businesses supports your brand across Facebook and Instagram, with a separate process for WhatsApp. Different subscription plans are available depending on the features you need for your business; pricing ranges from $14.99 to $499.99 per month.
Meta Verified offers more than a simple blue check mark. At the most affordable plan, subscribers get impersonation protection, Meta Verified support, search engine optimization (SEO) for Facebook and Instagram, a verified WhatsApp channel, and more. As of July 2026, not everyone is eligible for Meta Verified for Business on WhatsApp.
The most important part of building a strong Instagram presence is posting consistent content, replying to and engaging with your audience, and finding ways to be authentic while still staying on-brand.
Why should a business get verified on Instagram?
There are three main benefits to getting verified on Instagram, regardless of the route you choose to get there.
First, Instagram verification adds legitimacy to your profile. The verification process requires a government ID. It demonstrates that someone has validated that a real human, not a bot, is running the account. This also adds credibility to your brand.
Verification can also make your account more secure. Meta Verified’s impersonation monitoring helps protect your account from hackers or those trying to damage your brand. Verification is an easy way to protect your company’s reputation.
Finally, Instagram Verified accounts appear at or near the top of comments and search results when people type in a business’s name. They also appear as a recommended business to follow in the feed. Verification makes your brand more discoverable, which can also impact your SEO results.
What are the requirements for getting verified on Instagram?
If you believe your brand is notable enough for a check mark, double-check the factors that Instagram uses to determine who can be verified on Instagram. Your account must meet Instagram’s terms of use and community guidelines. In addition, your Instagram account needs to be:
- Authentic: It must represent a real person, registered business, or entity.
- Complete: The account must be public and active and have a bio and profile photo.
- Notable: The account must represent a well-known, highly-searched-for person, brand, or entity. Instagram reviews accounts featured in multiple news sources and does not consider paid or sponsored media content in its evaluation.
- Unique: Only one account per person or business may be verified, with exceptions for language-specific accounts. Instagram won’t verify general interest accounts (for example, @puppymemes).
How to get verified on Instagram
If you want to be verified with Instagram’s free version — known as “Legacy verification” — follow these steps:
- Log in to your Instagram account.
- Tap the Menu button, which looks like three parallel lines. In the For professionals section, tap Creator/Business tools and controls.
- Tap Request Verification to access the application form.
- Fill in the application form.
- Tap Send once your application is complete.
That’s it! Instagram’s guidelines say the review process can take up to 30 days. You’ll see a notification in the Activity section once your account has been verified. You can submit a new request again in 30 days if your request is denied.
How to get Meta Verified on Instagram
If you opt for the paid route, check the eligibility criteria before applying to Meta Verified. One of the criteria is “minimum activity.” Meta does not publicly spell out an exact numeric “minimum activity” threshold for Meta Verified. Your account should have a basic, recent posting history rather than being brand new or empty.
The steps for setting up your paid Meta Verified subscription start the same as the previous option. Head to the Settings icon. Then, instead of filling out the form, you’ll see a “Before you start” prompt at the top that prompts you to sign up for Meta Verified. Select this option and follow the steps to sign up for the pricing tier you want.
You can also sign up for Meta Verified through Instagram’s desktop version. Navigate to “Settings” and then scroll down to “Meta Verified,” which will take you to your Accounts Center. A series of prompts will lead you through the sign-up process to set up your subscription.
What to do if your verification request is denied
Instagram verification can sometimes be denied, usually because an account doesn’t meet the four criteria: authenticity, completeness, notability, or uniqueness. Double-check to make sure you meet these requirements, and then go back to make sure you’re demonstrating so effectively.
“Double-check the verification criteria to make sure you’re eligible. Ensure you’ve been active on your account and have a complete profile. Double check that you have the right ID and business documents to prove your account is authentic. Delete any old accounts to ensure your account is unique,” recommended Shopify.
Demonstrating that your brand is notable can often be a bigger challenge. Start by doing a Google search for your brand. If you’re not seeing many mentions, this could indicate that Instagram/Meta doesn’t consider it notable. You can boost your notability with strategic PR placements. Pitch stories to local news outlets, publish original thought leadership, and work with influencers or other partners in your industry to generate engaging content.
Meta rewards accounts that post regularly too. That nebulous requirement for “minimum activity” can work in your favor if you post consistently and often. Hootsuite recommends that you post at least once per day while trying to achieve check mark status.
If you do get rejected, you are eligible to reapply after 30 days. Take advantage of that time to build and execute a comprehensive strategy for boosting your brand presence. And, remember that there’s always the paid alternative with Meta Verified.
Best practices to maintain your verified status
Once you’re verified, there are no minimum requirements to maintain your verification status. However, Instagram will remove your badge under certain conditions, including:
- If you try to advertise, transfer, or sell your verified badge.
- If you use your profile picture, bio, or name section to promote other services or activities that violate Instagram’s community standards or terms of use.
- If you attempt to verify your account through a third party.
- If you switch your account from public to private too many times.
Meta can also revoke Meta Verified creator subscriptions if you break their policies or give false information, even if you keep paying.
From a follower's perspective, posting content that continues to meet Instagram’s four requirements is the best way to take advantage of the verified status. A check mark is merely a symbol unless you back it up with credible, authentic content. Building trust with your audience takes consistency, transparency, and subject matter expertise. Instagram verification is just the starting point.
Is Meta Verified worth paying for as a small business?
The answer depends on your aim. It’s worth paying for Meta Verified if you’re a new business seeking to build trust and credibility or a business that could benefit from the expanded support options and features. The most affordable tier not only offers a blue check mark but also:
- Impersonation protection.
- Enhanced support (chat and email support).
- Search optimization.
- Enhanced profile (add images to links).
Users say they see mixed results in the search optimization and profile enhancements, suggesting it might not be worth paying just for those features. But if you need additional support and impersonation protection, $15 per month is reasonable.
The most important part of building a strong Instagram presence is posting consistent content, replying to and engaging with your audience, and finding ways to be authentic while still staying on-brand. A blue check mark is not a replacement for a thoughtful, rigorous social media strategy.
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