How to Get a Check Mark on Instagram

That little blue check mark next to an Instagram handle is one of the most visible status symbols on social media. But getting verified isn't about an algorithm trick or a secret application, it's about proving you are who you say you are and that people are paying attention. This guide will walk you through the exact application steps and, more importantly, how to build a profile that Instagram deems worthy of its badge of authenticity.

What the Blue Check Mark Really Means

First, let's clear up some common misconceptions. The blue check, officially called a verification badge, is designed to do one primary thing: confirm the authenticity of an account. Its purpose is to let users know that the account for a public figure, celebrity, or global brand is the genuine one, not a fan page or an impersonator.

Here’s what it is not:

• It's not an endorsement from Instagram. It doesn't mean Instagram likes your content more than anyone else's.
• It's not a secret pass to higher engagement. Verified accounts are subject to the same algorithm as everyone else. A blue check won't magically make your Reels go viral.
• It’s not just for accounts with millions of followers. While many verified accounts are large, there's no specific follower count required. It’s about notability, not numbers.
• You cannot legitimately buy it. Be wary of anyone claiming they can sell you verification. While a PR agency can help you become "notable," anyone offering to directly sell you the badge is likely a scam. The exception is Meta's new subscription service, which we'll cover later.

Think of it as a digital notary stamp. It exists to prevent confusion and protect well-known personalities and brands from impersonation.

Knowing the Rules: Instagram's Verification Checklist

Instagram is pretty clear about its criteria. To be verified, your account must comply with its Terms of Service and Community Guidelines, and it must meet these four requirements:

Authentic

Your account must represent a real person, a registered business, or a legitimate entity. You can’t verify a meme account or a fan page. To prove this, you’ll need to provide official identification during the application process. For a person, this means a government-issued photo ID like a driver’s license or passport. For a business, this could be articles of incorporation, tax filings, or a recent utility bill.

Unique

This should be the only official account for the person or business it represents. Instagram generally doesn't verify more than one account per person or brand. The only real exceptions are for language-specific accounts, like a global brand that has a separate account for its Spanish-speaking audience.

Complete

This is basic profile hygiene. Your account must be public, not private. You need to have a bio filled out, a profile picture, and at least one post in your feed. An empty or incomplete profile won't be considered.

Notable

Here it is - the one requirement where most applications fail. Your account must represent a “well-known, highly searched for” person, brand, or entity. Instagram’s reviewers do their homework. They check if you or your brand are featured in multiple, independent, credible news sources. Paid press, sponsored content, or mentions in your own company blog don’t count. They are looking for organic press coverage that shows you're a figure of public interest.

How to Apply for Instagram Verification: The Actual Steps

The application itself is surprisingly simple and takes only a few minutes. Getting prepared for it is the hard part, but here’s how you actually submit the request from your phone:

1. Navigate to your Instagram profile and tap the three horizontal lines (the "hamburger" menu) in the top-right corner.
2. Tap on Settings and Privacy.
3. If you have a creator or business account, tap on Creator tools and controls or Business tools and controls.
4. Scroll down and select Request Verification.
5. You’ll be taken to a form where you need to confirm your identity. Your username will already be filled in.
6. Enter your full name as it appears on your legal documents and upload a clear picture of your government-issued ID (if you're a person) or an official business document (if you're a business entity).
7. Next, you'll need to demonstrate your "notability." Choose the category that best represents you (e.g., News/Media, Sports, Music, Fashion, Content Creator) and select your country or region.
8. This next part is optional but highly recommended: add links to articles, social media accounts, and other sources that show you’re a person of public interest. This is your chance to make a case for why you deserve to be verified. Choose sources that are reputable and showcase genuine media coverage.
9. Once you’ve filled everything out, tap Submit.

Instagram says it will notify you of its decision within 30 days. You’ll see a notification in your Activity feed. There are only two outcomes: approved or denied. No feedback, no explanation.

The Unspoken Secret: You Can't Get Verified Without Being "Notable"

Let's be honest: filling out that form is easy. The real work happens long before you tap "Submit." Most people get rejected because they haven't done the groundwork to prove they are "notable" in Instagram's eyes. Your goal is to build a discoverable presence *off* of Instagram, so when their review team Googles you, they find clear evidence of your public relevance.

Get Featured in the News

When Instagram's review team looks for notability, they’re looking for press. They want to see that legitimate, independent media outlets have chosen to write about you. Your PR strategy is your verification strategy.

• Use HARO: Services like Help a Reporter Out (HARO) connect you with journalists who are looking for expert sources for their stories. Responding to these queries can land you quotes and mentions in established publications.
• Pitch Your Story: Don't wait for reporters to find you. If you or your business does something newsworthy - launch a unique product, release a groundbreaking report, hit a major milestone - write a press release or pitch it directly to relevant journalists.
• Think Local, Then Grow: Don't just aim for national news. Getting features in local newspapers, industry-specific blogs, or popular podcasts are all great signals.

Remember, promotional content or paid advertisements in publications will be ignored. It needs to be genuine, editorial coverage.

Optimize Your Online Presence (Beyond Instagram)

What happens when someone searches for your name or your brand? Instagram's reviewers will do this, so your public profile across the entire internet matters.

• Your Website is Your Hub: Have a professional, polished website that serves as a central point for your brand. It should clearly state who you are and what you do.
• Leverage Other Platforms: Maintain a complete LinkedIn profile. Have an active Dribbble profile if you're a designer. If you produce video, having a YouTube channel with some traction helps. Show that your digital footprint is wide and consistent.
• Consider Wikipedia: Having a Wikipedia page is a massive signal of notability, but it's very difficult to get and keep one. You can't create one for yourself, it must be created by an independent editor based on significant coverage in reliable secondary sources. Don't try to force this - if you don't truly meet the notability criteria for Wikipedia, the page will be deleted.

Develop a Strong Brand and Niche

Being famous within a specific, well-defined industry is more powerful than being vaguely known by many. The more you are seen as *the* person for a certain topic, the more likely you are to be searched for and written about.

• Find Your Focus: Instead of being a "lifestyle blogger," be the go-to expert on "sustainable travel for families." Instead of being a generic "consultant," showcase yourself as the specialist in "lead generation for SaaS startups." Specificity makes you memorable.
• Create Standout Content: A strong verification strategy is built on a foundation of great content. Produce high-quality, valuable posts, Reels, and Stories that establish your expertise and build a loyal community. When your content is truly excellent, others (including the press) take notice.

Got Rejected? Here's What to Do Next

If you get the dreaded "your request to be verified has been denied" notification, don't worry. It's extremely common. You can re-apply in 30 days. Don’t just hit "submit" again blindly. Use those 30 days to build your case. Focus on getting more press mentions, polishing your online presence, and refining your niche. Most rejections happen because the "notable" requirement wasn't met, so that’s where your energy should go.

The New Option: Is Meta Verified Worth It?

Recently, Meta introduced a new path to the blue check: Meta Verified. This is a paid subscription service available for individuals and "creator" profiles (businesses aren't eligible yet in most areas).

What Meta Verified Gives You:

• A Verification Badge: The same blue check, just earned through payment and ID verification rather than notability.
• Proactive Impersonation Monitoring: Meta will actively look for accounts trying to impersonate you.
• Direct Account Support: Access to a real human for help with account issues.

The key difference is what it verifies. Traditional verification proves notability. Meta Verified proves your identity. You get the badge by paying a monthly fee and providing a government ID. It's a great option for up-and-coming creators who want the security benefits and direct support but don't yet have the press coverage to get the traditional badge. It offers legitimacy and security but doesn't double as a "public figure" stamp of approval.

Final Thoughts

Earning that blue check on Instagram isn't about finding a shortcut, it's the result of doing meaningful work offline and building a brand that gets noticed. Focus on establishing yourself as an authority in your field, creating exceptional content, and securing genuine press coverage. Once you're genuinely "notable," the verification process becomes a simple final step.

Building that kind of notable presence requires incredible consistency and a smart content strategy. Personally, we created Postbase to solve this exact problem. Having one central hub to visually plan our content calendar, schedule everything for Instagram and our other platforms ahead of time, and manage every comment and DM from one inbox helps us focus on a bigger goal: creating great content that builds our brand, instead of getting lost in the day-to-day chaos of managing different apps.