How to Get a Blue Tick on Instagram Without Paying

That little blue checkmark next to an Instagram handle is more than just a status symbol, it's a mark of authenticity and credibility. So how do you get one without subscribing to Meta Verified? It comes down to proving to Instagram that you are a notable public figure, celebrity, or global brand. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, showing you how to build a case for verification the organic way.

Understanding Instagram's Core Verification Criteria

Before you ever hit "submit" on your verification request, you need to understand what Instagram's review team is looking for. They don't just hand out blue ticks to accounts with a lot of followers. Verification is about confirming identity and notability. Your account must meet four key standards.

1. Your Account Must Be Authentic

This is the most straightforward requirement. Your account must represent a real person, a registered business, or a legitimate entity. You can't create an account for your cat (no matter how cute) and expect it to be verified. Instagram will ask you to prove this with official documentation during the application process.

• For individuals: This means providing a government-issued photo ID like a driver's license or passport.
• For businesses: This requires official business documents, such as tax filings, a certificate of incorporation, or a recent utility bill in the company's name.

2. Your Account Must Be Unique

You can only have one verified account for yourself or your business, with the exception of language-specific accounts. Instagram will not verify general interest accounts (e.g., @bestmemes or @puppypics). The account must be the unique representation of the person or business it claims to be. If you have multiple accounts representing yourself, it's best to streamline them into one before applying to avoid confusion.

3. Your Account Must Be Complete

This is a simple but non-negotiable checklist. An incomplete profile looks unprofessional and is an immediate red flag for reviewers. Make sure you have the following in place:

• A complete bio
• A profile picture
• Your account must be set to public (private accounts cannot be verified)
• You must have at least one post on your grid

Think of it this way: if you aren't using the platform actively, why should Instagram verify you on it? Fill out your profile completely and make it look active and professional.

4. Your Account Must Be Notable

This is the single most challenging hurdle for creators and brands to overcome. It's also the most subjective. Instagram defines a notable account as one that represents a "well-known, highly searched for person, brand or entity."

Simply being popular on Instagram is not enough. Instagram wants to see evidence that you're well-known outside of their platform. They are trying to verify people who are at risk of being impersonated because of their public profile. Their review team conducts independent research to find out if you've been featured in multiple, credible news sources. Paid press, sponsored content, or promotional articles absolutely do not count.

How to Apply for Verification: The Step-by-Step Process

The actual application process inside the app is surprisingly simple. The hard work is in building your case before you apply. Once you feel your online presence meets the "notable" criteria, here's how to do it:

1. Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
2. Tap the three horizontal lines in the top right corner to open the menu.
3. Go to Settings and privacy.
4. If you have a business account, tap on Business tools and controls. If you're a creator, tap on Creator tools and controls.
5. Scroll down and tap on Request verification.
6. You will be taken to a form. First, you'll need to confirm your authenticity by filling out your full name and providing the required form of identification (as mentioned above).
7. Next, you will need to prove your notability. Select a category for your account (e.g., Musician, Designer, Brand, etc.) and your country/region.
8. This is the most important part: Add links to articles, social media accounts, and other online sources that show your account is in the public interest. Do not include paid or promotional links. This is your chance to present your best press features.
9. Review everything carefully and tap Submit.

After you submit, you'll have to wait. Instagram says it can take up to 30 days to review your request, and you'll receive a notification in your Activity tab with their decision. There is no other official way to expedite this process.

Building Your Brand and Notability (The Real Work)

Since notability is the name of the game, your main focus should be on building a powerful off-Instagram presence. Sending the application is easy, but getting it accepted takes strategy. Here's a breakdown of what that looks like in practice.

Build Your Digital Footprint Beyond Instagram

Instagram is verifying that you are a public figure, not just an "Instagrammer." To prove this, you need a presence across the web that confirms your importance in your field.

• Start a Website or Blog: A professional website serves as a central hub for your brand. It gives you credibility and a platform that you fully control.
• Get Active on Other Platforms: Establish a consistent presence on other social platforms like LinkedIn, X (Twitter), TikTok, or YouTube. A strong following and authority on multiple platforms reinforce your notability.
• Optimize for Search: When the Instagram review team searches your name or brand, what will they find? Work on your Search Engine Optimization (SEO). The goal is for them to find news articles, your official website, and your other professional profiles - not just user-generated content mentioning you.

Earn Genuine Media Coverage

Actionable Strategies to Get Press:

• Use HARO (Help a Reporter Out): This is a free service that connects journalists with sources. Sign up as a source in your area of expertise. If you provide a valuable quote and get featured in a known publication, that's a perfect link to include in your application.
• Pitch Local News: If you're launching a business, hosting a charity event, or have a unique story, reach out to local TV news, newspapers, and radio stations. Local coverage from established outlets is highly credible.
• Guest Post on Expert Sites: Offer to write expert content for well-respected blogs or online magazines in your niche. A featured article with your byline on a major industry site is a huge plus.
• Collaborate and Get Quoted: Network with well-known creators or journalists in your space. Often, contributing to an interview or being quoted as an expert in a larger feature is easier than getting a whole article about yourself.

Remember, a few high-quality features from legitimate news sources are worth more than dozens of paid press mentions.

Clean Up Your Online Presence

Before applying, do a thorough cleanup of your digital footprint. Ensure everything is professional, consistent, and adheres to Instagram's terms of service.

• Remove Duplicate or Unofficial Accounts: If rogue fan pages or old, unused profiles of yours are floating around, clean them up. They can confuse the review process and weaken your case for being "unique."
• Check for Policy Violations: Go through your content and make sure you haven't violated any of Instagram's Community Guidelines. A history of violations can be a reason for denial.
• Maintain a Consistent Brand Voice: Make sure your bio, profile picture, and recent content all align perfectly with the brand you're trying to project. Everything should look polished and official.

What to Do If Your Verification Request is Denied

Getting denied is common, so don't be discouraged. It's not a permanent "no." If your application isn't approved, you can re-apply again after 30 days.

Instead of immediately reapplying, use that time to strengthen your case. A denial almost always comes down to a lack of notability. Ask yourself honestly: did I have enough high-quality, non-promotional news articles? Is my name or brand truly well-known outside of Instagram? Focus for the next month on landing another piece of press, growing your authority on another platform, or getting featured on a major podcast. Approach your next application with an even stronger portfolio of evidence.

Final Thoughts

Getting a blue tick on Instagram for free is absolutely possible, but it is not a shortcut. It requires a strategic and sustained effort to build your brand's authority and public profile. Focus on establishing credibility in your niche, securing genuine press coverage, and treating the blue checkmark not as the goal itself, but as a byproduct of your success.

Building that kind of notable brand presence requires a relentless amount of high-quality content, posted consistently across all your platforms. Honestly, that's one of the biggest challenges for growing creators and businesses. At Postbase, we built our tool to make this part of the job feel manageable, not overwhelming. Instead of wrestling with a dozen different apps, we give you one clean, visual calendar to plan and schedule all your content for Instagram, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and everywhere else, so you can execute your strategy without the daily chaos. A stronger, more consistent brand is the surest path to getting noticed.