How to Get Verified on Instagram: Step-by-step Guide

Need that blue checkmark on your Instagram profile? This guide will help you get verified on Instagram and leverage the benefits of being authentic and real.

How to Get Verified on Instagram: Effective Steps to Follow 

With advancing algorithms of social media platforms, the new feature ‘Instagram verification badge’ (the blue tick) has gained immense importance. Influencers, businesses, content creators, brands, and everyone else are figuring out how to get verified on Instagram. 

Previously, it was only meant for celebrities, popular brands, and known personalities like politicians. But now, anyone can approach Meta to get this blue tick on their Instagram profile. 

In this guide, we will talk about the process that will help users get verified on Instagram and earn that blue tick besides their name. Here, you will find methods and tips to smooth your verification process. 

Why Does Instagram Verification Matter? 

Before we start knowing the process and ways for Instagram verification, let’s understand why it is important. That simple blue tick isn’t a small addition to your profile but makes a lot of difference. 

• Increased interaction and engagement: With so many fake profiles and alternative fan pages, it’s not easy for people to find and interact with the original user. Getting a blue tick for Instagram will reflect your originality, attracting your audience to connect and interact. 

• Builds trust and credibility: Getting verified on Instagram lets others know that you’re a trusted person or business. They won’t doubt connecting with you and trusting your content. 

• More profile search: Instagram profiles with blue ticks rank higher when users search a name. Getting verified will help you attain top results among Instagram searches and get noticed more easily. 

• Streamlines ROI and conversions: Verified business profiles on Instagram usually get more followers and inquiries. This leads to more conversion opportunities as more people are likely to interact with your business when they see a blue tick in your profile. 

Two Ways to Verify Your Instagram 

In 2026, there are two effective ways to get Instagram verified. It is important to pick the one that fits what you want and what you can afford. 

Path 1: Meta Verified (The Paid Subscription) 

Meta Verified has changed how things work on social media by making it easier for anyone to get verified. This is a subscription where you pay for authenticity and protection, especially if you’re not super famous but care about your online image.  

Good For: Creators, influencers, freelancers, and small to medium businesses. It’s great if you want to protect your identity or immediately show that you’re official. Moreover, it will help you go viral with reels and other engaging content, as Instagram always prioritizes verified accounts. 

Pricing: To purchase the Meta verification subscription as an individual user, you need to pay $14.99 per month. However, multiple plans are available for businesses, starting from Standard to Max. Business plans usually cost more, but you will get verified on all Meta platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. 

What’s required: 

• Identity verification: Instagram verification requires users to upload a government-issued identity card that must show their face and name clearly. 

• Being active: Staying consistent with your Instagram activity, such as daily sessions, posting interactions, being followed or following others, likes, and shares, will support the verification process. 

Recent surveys showed that verified Instagram profiles gain up to 30% engagement rates and more than 75% surge in the profile’s presence. This is because these profiles become a trusted account. 

Path 2: Traditional Verification (The Organic Method) 

This is the blue check everyone knows. Instagram uses it to tell apart important public accounts. You can’t just buy it. You have to prove that people care about you or your brand. 

Good For: Famous people, big companies such as Nike or Starbucks, small businesses that sell or offer valuable goods, and major news outlets. Also, it works if you’re a journalist, activist, or expert with a good name offline or on other sites. 

The Cost: Totally free. You don’t pay monthly to keep it. But you might spend time and money on PR and building your brand to get approved. 

Main Factors You Need: 

• Stories in the News: Find 3-5 articles about you from big news sources such as The New York Times, Forbes, or big local papers. Instagram won’t count ads or press releases. 

• Popular Search Term: Your name or brand has to be searched for a lot on Google and Instagram. 

• Be Real and Unique: You have to be a real person or business, and your account has to be the only one representing you. No fan pages allowed. 

Because there’s so much AI-generated stuff out there now, Instagram is stricter about who gets verified. Even if you have a lot of followers (50,000+), you can still get turned down if you don’t have good media mentions. 

How to Get the Meta Verified Badge? 

If you don’t have many press mentions yet, Meta Verified is the easiest way to get the blue tick for Instagram. It’s available for creators and Instagram businesses. 

Eligibility Requirements 

• Age: Firstly, you need to be at least 18 years old as per Instagram’s community guidelines. 

• Identity: You should have an ID proof that can verify your citizenship in your country, such as a government-issued citizen card or ID. It should have your real name, age, address, nationality, profile photo, and the government’s stamp. 

• 2-factor Security: This is necessary to get the Instagram verification badge. 

• Activity: Your account should be active and have a good interaction history. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Subscribe for an Instagram Verified Badge 

1. Go to your Instagram dashboard, and tap on the menu (three lines on the top-right corner). 

2. Click on ‘Settings and privacy’ or ‘Accounts Center’. 

3. Search for the option “Meta Verified”, and tap on it. 

4. Now select the profile for which you need the Instagram blue tick. 

5. Set up your monthly payment method. 

6. The next step will be verifying your identity. You need to upload a clear photo of your government ID. You might also need to record a video selfie for confirmation. 

Meta platform usually takes 48 hours to process your request and verify your profile. Till the time, don’t take any unnecessary steps to get the Instagram blue tick quickly.  

Avoid being scammed by any third-party scammers who usually trap individuals into purchasing these badges from them. Also, hackers also try to share spammy links to attract your attention with discounts or offers. If you get trapped, you might need Meta support or change the Instagram password to protect your profile. 

Meta Verified Badge for Businesses 

Meta has introduced new Meta Verified for Business tiers: Standard, Plus, and Premium. These plans usually come with perks like impersonation protection, better support, and the option to verify multiple channels like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. You can check your Meta Business Suite to see if it’s available in your area. 

How to Get Verified on Instagram for Free? 

If you’re looking to achieve that badge without paying monthly, you’ll need to go through the traditional verification process. This route is tougher but carries a lot of respect. 

Eligibility Requirements 

To be eligible, your account has to be: 

1. Authentic: It should represent a real person, business, or entity. 

2. Unique: It must be the only presence for that person or business (though you can have exceptions for accounts in different languages). 

3. Complete: You need to have a public bio, profile picture, and active posts. 

4. Notable: This part is the trickiest. You should represent a person or brand that is popular and trending. 

Step to Get the Instagram Verification Badge 

1. Go to Settings: Navigate to your Instagram profile > Menu > Settings and privacy. 

2. Account Tools: Tap on Account type and tools (or look for “Request Verification” in the search bar). 

3. Request Verification: Fill out the application form. 

• Step 1: Confirm Authenticity (Upload driver’s license, passport, or tax filings). 

• Step 2: Confirm Notability (Select your category and country). 

• Step 3: Add Links (Crucial!). Add links to news articles, social media accounts, or other reputable mentions. Note: Paid or promotional content does not count. 

4. Submit: Hit send and wait. Responses can take up to 30 days. 

5 Pro-Tips to Increase Your Chances of Getting Instagram Verified 

If you are applying for the free Instagram verification badge, you need to build a case that you are “Notable.” You aren’t just saying “I’m important”; you are proving that the world already knows who you are.  

Here is how to do it: 

1. Enhance Visibility on Google Searches 

When Instagram’s review team checks out your application, they’ll search your name or brand right away. If what they find isn’t impressive or relevant, your application doesn’t stand a chance. 

The Strategy: Try searching for yourself in an incognito window. Do you have a Knowledge Panel? Are you showing up in the top five results? 

What to do: If your online presence is lacking, it’s time to boost your SEO. Make sure your website and LinkedIn profile are optimized with the exact name you’re using for verification. Instagram tends to favor accounts that are frequently searched, so aim to make your name a go-to keyword in your field. 

2. Optimize Your Bio for Clarity and Keywords 

Think of your bio as a quick summary of who you are for your verification. People should get it in under three seconds. 

• Keywords: Add 2–3 main keywords that fit what you do (like Web Developer | UX Specialist). This helps Instagram find your profile more easily. 

• Show Credibility: If big news places have talked about you, drop a quick line (like As seen on BBC News). It tells the reviewer you’re worth checking out. 

• Be Unique: Say clearly what sets you apart. If several accounts have names like yours, your bio should say why yours is the real deal for your brand. 

3. Leverage “News” & Media 

Instagram is looking for “links that highlight the account’s public interest.” As we move into 2026, not all media coverage is equal. 

• Reputable Sources Only: Mentions in well-regarded outlets like Forbes, TechCrunch, Vogue, or The Guardian really pack a punch. Local news and major industry publications can also be very effective. 

• Quality Over Quantity: A few in-depth interviews or feature stories are way more valuable than a bunch of tiny mentions on press release sites. 

• Avoid “Paid” Media: Meta’s algorithm is pretty good at spotting sponsored content. If an article is tagged as “sponsored” or “contributor,” it’s likely to be overlooked. 

4. Build a “Web of Trust” via Cross-Linking 

To verify your identity online, you need to show that you’re the same person everywhere. 

• The Loop: Make sure your official website links to your Instagram, and your Instagram bio (or whatever link tool you use) should link back to your website and any other verified social media accounts, like X/Twitter, LinkedIn, or YouTube. 

• Cross-Platform Consistency: Keep the same profile picture and handle across all your platforms. This “visual footprint” really helps anyone checking your profile confirm that your online presence is genuine and cohesive. 

5. Reduce Scope of Errors from Your Profile 

Even small errors on your profile can make Instagram think you’re not ready for a professional badge. 

• Remove Bad Links: When you’re applying, get rid of links in your bio that go to other social media like Snapchat or TikTok. Instagram would rather you stay put on its platform. 

• Activity Check: If you haven’t posted in a bit, hold off on applying. Aim to have about 5–10 good posts from the last month. 

• Check Your Account Status: Go to Settings, then click on Account Status to check for community guideline strikes. Just one strike might get you turned down for verification right away. 

Common Myths About Instagram Verification 

Final Thoughts 

Getting verified on Instagram in 2026 isn’t just a dream for the few anymore. You can either use the quick route with Meta Verified or take the well-trodden Traditional Path, which relies on building your reputation organically.  

Ultimately, the goal is the same: making your digital presence undeniably legit. With AI-generated content and impersonation on the rise, that blue checkmark has become like a badge of honor for your brand, giving it a significant trust boost. 

Don’t let your profile stay unnoticed. Take a good look at your online presence, update your strategy to match the latest authenticity trends for 2026, and make that important move to protect your reputation in this digital landscape. 

Elevate Your Verification Game with eSearch Logix 

Figuring out what “Notability” really means or handling the security of a global business can feel pretty overwhelming. That’s where we come in. As a reputed social media agency, eSearch Logix is here to turn your regular profile into a verified account that gets respect. 

We do more than manage accounts; we help build online reputations. Here’s how we make sure business accounts are genuine: 

• Smart Brand Positioning: We create content, like Reels that go viral, that people care about, which is what the algorithm wants in 2026. 

• Building PR & Notability: If you want old-school verification, our team does SEO and outreach. We get you in major news sites to create the paper trail Instagram wants when it checks your account. 

• Managing Verified Accounts: We fully handle Meta Verified for Business, protecting your assets and making the most of monthly benefits such as priority support and impersonation protection. 

• Growth Through Engagement: Our data-based plans have helped brands see up to a 50% increase in audience interaction, turning viewers into loyal, verified communities. 

Want that blue checkmark on your profile? Get in touch with eSearch Logix today, and let our social media pros help you create a standout, verification-ready presence for your business.