How to Get a Blue Badge on Facebook

That little blue checkmark next to a name on Facebook isn't just a status symbol, it's a mark of authenticity that tells the world your Page or Profile is the real deal. Getting one can increase your credibility, protect you from impersonators, and build trust with your audience. This guide breaks down the official requirements, the step-by-step application process, and most importantly, the strategic work needed to improve your chances of getting approved.

What is the Facebook Blue Badge? (And What It Isn't)

First, let's clear up some common confusion. Facebook verification has traditionally been about establishing a Page or Profile as the official presence of a public figure, celebrity, or global brand. This blue badge is earned, not bought. It's given by Facebook after a review process to prove an account is both authentic and, critically, "notable."

This is different from Meta Verified. Meta Verified is a paid subscription service available to any user that offers a blue checkmark, impersonation protection, and direct account support. While it provides a checkmark, it doesn't carry the same weight as the earned "notability" verification. The legacy blue badge signals that Facebook has independently recognized your public significance.

• Credibility and Trust: The badge instantly tells followers and potential customers that they're dealing with the genuine account, not a fan page or a scammer.
• Protection Against Impersonation: A verified account makes it much harder for fake profiles to pretend to be you or your brand.
• Enhanced Visibility: Verified accounts sometimes appear higher in search results, making it easier for people to find you.
• Access to Certain Features: In the past, verification has unlocked access to specific Facebook features, although this varies.

The Core Eligibility Requirements: Are You "Verifiable"?

Facebook's review team checks every application against four main criteria. You must meet all of them to be considered. Failing on even one will result in a rejection. Let's break down what each one actually means for you.

1. Authentic

This is the easy part. Your account must represent a real person, a registered business, or a legally recognized entity. You'll need to prove this with official documentation.

• For a personal profile: You’ll need a government-issued photo ID like a driver's license, passport, or national identification card.
• For a Page representing a business or organization: You’ll need official business documents like a utility bill, articles of incorporation, or tax documents that clearly show your organization's name.

2. Unique

The entity being verified can only have one verified Page or Profile. Facebook's goal is to eliminate confusion. You can't have five different "official" pages for your one brand.

The only real exceptions are for pages that are language-specific or location-specific (for example, "Brand USA" and "Brand Canada"). For most individuals and small businesses, this is straightforward: you get one. Make sure you don't have old, abandoned, or unofficial pages floating around that might confuse the reviewer.

3. Complete

Your profile or Page needs to look professional and active. A private profile, a bare-bones page, or an account with no recent posts will likely be rejected immediately. You need to have:

• An About section that is fully filled out.
• A profile photo and, for a Page, a cover photo.
• Recent activity: meaning you have been posting content regularly. There isn't a specific number, but your feed shouldn't look abandoned.
• Public posts visible to everyone.

4. Notable

This is where most people get stuck. It’s not enough to be real, unique, and complete. Your account must represent a well-known, often searched-for person, brand, or entity. In short, you need to prove that people outside of your immediate circle are talking about you. Facebook's reviewers are looking for objective, third-party proof of your public interest.

How do you prove you're notable? Through media mentions. When you apply, Facebook asks you to submit up to five links to articles that prove your public significance. Here's what they're looking for:

• Independent News Sources: The articles must come from credible, independent news organizations. A feature story in a respected industry magazine, a profile in a major newspaper, or coverage on a well-known media website are all excellent examples.
• No Paid or Promotional Content: This is a major stumbling block. Press releases, sponsored articles, advertisements, or content you paid to have published do not count. The reviewer needs to see that a news outlet found you newsworthy on their own accord. They can spot paid content easily.
• Significant Coverage: A brief mention of your name in a list isn't as powerful as a full feature article about you or your work. The more the article is about you, the better.
• Diverse Sources: Submitting five links from the same local blogger is less impressive than submitting links from several different national or well-regarded regional publications. Show that your influence reaches different audiences.
• Bypass Low-Tier Sources: Links to your own website, blog, Wikipedia (can be edited by anyone), or other social media profiles are not considered independent news. Stick to actual journalism.

Getting verified is less about what you do on Facebook and more about what you've accomplished off Facebook that makes you worthy of news coverage. If you don't have these articles yet, your focus shouldn't be on the application form but on a public relations strategy to get them.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for Verification

Once you've done the hard work of building your notable presence and gathering your documents, the application itself is fairly simple.

1. Find the Application Form: The easiest way to find the form is to search for "Request a verified badge on Facebook" in the Facebook Help Center. This will lead you to the official application page. Be wary of any third-party sites claiming they can submit for you.
2. Choose What You're Verifying: The first step is to tell Facebook whether you are applying for a personal Profile or a business/brand Page.
3. Confirm Authenticity (Step 1 of the Form): Now, you'll need to prove you are who you say you are. Select the document type you'll be providing (e.g., Driver's License, Passport, Articles of Incorporation) and upload a clear, legible photo or scan of it.
4. Confirm Notability (Step 2 of the Form):
   • Select a Category: Choose the category that best fits your Profile or Page (e.g., News/Media, Sports, Musician/Band, Business/Brand/Organization).
   • Country/Region: Enter the country where your public influence is most prominent.
   • Audience (Optional): Briefly describe who your followers are and why they follow you. This helps the reviewer understand your community.
   • Also Known As (Optional): If you or your brand is known by another name, list it here.
   • Provide Your Links: This is your chance to shine. Add up to five links to the strong, independent news articles you've gathered. Don't waste these slots on social media profiles or your own website. Pick your absolute best press coverage.
5. Submit and Wait: Double-check everything and click "Send". Facebook states that you'll hear back within 48 hours to 30 days. The timeline can vary greatly depending on their application volume. You'll receive a notification about their decision.

What to Do if Your Application is Rejected

A rejection can feel discouraging, but it's extremely common. Very few people get verified on their first try. The key is to see it not as a final "no," but as a "not yet."

If you're rejected, you must wait 30 days before you can apply again. Do not re-submit a day early. Use this time constructively. Here’s your game plan:

1. Analyze the Reason: Most rejections happen because the account failed to meet the "notable" criterion. If you're confident that your docs were correct and your profile was complete, then the issue lies with your press links.
2. Focus on Public Relations: Use the next 30 days (or more, if needed) to build your public profile. Pitch your story to journalists, offer insights to reporters in your field, or launch a project or campaign that is legitimately newsworthy. Your goal is to earn newsworthy press coverage. This might take months, but it's the only sustainable path to verification.
3. Refresh Your Content: When you prepare to reapply, make sure you come with new and better links. Submitting the exact same rejected application again will get you the exact same result.
4. Clean Up Your Online Presence: Make sure there are no duplicate or unofficial accounts that could create confusion. Your official Page should be clearly linked from your official website and other social profiles.

Think of it like this: the application form is the final exam. But the real work is doing your homework for months beforehand by building a brand that deserves to be verified.

Securing a blue badge on Facebook is a process rooted in authenticating your identity and proving your public notability. It requires a complete and active profile, official documentation, and - most importantly - evidence from independent news sources that you are a well-known figure or brand in your field. Treat the application not as a starting point, but as the final step after you've built a strong public presence.

As we've worked on Postbase, we've always believed that building a notable brand begins with consistency and professionalism online. That's why we focused on creating a tool that simplifies this process. Having a clear and organized visual calendar to plan your content makes maintaining an active, professional presence far more manageable. Reliable scheduling ensures your message gets out consistently across all platforms, which is exactly the kind of strong signal social media platforms look for when evaluating an account's credibility.