How to Get a Blue Verification Badge on Instagram

That little blue checkmark next to an Instagram handle is more than a status symbol - it's social media's universal sign for this account is the real deal. It's a powerful marker of authenticity and credibility that can open doors for brands, public figures, and creators. This guide will walk you through exactly what Instagram's verification requirements mean, the step-by-step application process, and most importantly, the tangible strategies you can use to build a strong case for getting that badge.

What Does the Blue Verification Badge Actually Mean?

Before we get into the "how," let's be clear about the "why." The primary purpose of Instagram verification is to protect notable accounts from impersonation. It's Instagram's way of confirming that a specific account genuinely belongs to the well-known person, brand, or entity it claims to represent. It's not a reward for having a lot of followers or posting popular content. It's a shield against fakes.

When you see a blue badge, it tells followers, "You can trust that this is the official source." This is particularly important for celebrities, global brands, journalists, and public figures who are frequent targets for impostor accounts. Understanding this core purpose - preventing confusion and confirming identity - is the first step to approaching your application with the right mindset.

Meeting Instagram’s Core Verification Requirements

Instagram has a clear set of criteria every account must meet to be considered for verification. Think of these as the absolute minimums. If you don't tick all these boxes, your application won't even be reviewed seriously. Let's break them down one by one.

Your Account Must Be:

• Authentic: It must represent a real person, a registered business, or a legally recognized entity. You'll have to prove this with official identification, like a driver's license, passport, or utility bill for a business.
• Unique: This needs to be the one and only official presence for the person or business on Instagram. The only exceptions are for brand accounts that have different profiles for different languages or regions (like @nike and @nikeespanol). For individuals, you get one.
• Complete: Your profile has to be public, not private. It must have a full bio, a profile picture, and at least one post. An empty or incomplete profile signals that it may not be an active, legitimate account.
• Notable: This is the most important - and most misunderstood - requirement. Being "notable" means your name, brand, or organization is well-known and frequently searched for by the public. Instagram determines notability by looking for press coverage about you from multiple, reputable, and independent news sources.

Let's linger on "notable" because it's where most applications fail. Paid or promotional content does not count. An advertisement you ran, a sponsored blog post, or a press release your company published aren't going to cut it. Instagram is looking for organic media coverage - articles, TV segments, or major publication features where you are the subject. Essentially, the platform is looking for third-party validation that you are, in fact, an entity of public interest.

How to Apply for Verification: A Step-by-Step Guide

The application itself is surprisingly simple and done right within the Instagram app. Just follow these steps:

1. Go to Your Profile: Log in to the Instagram account for which you're requesting verification.
2. Open Settings: Tap the hamburger menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner of your profile, then select "Settings and privacy".
3. Find Verification Request: For business accounts, you'll find it under "Business tools and controls". For creator accounts, go to "Creator tools and controls," then tap "Meta Verified." Note: "Meta Verified" is the paid subscription service, but the application for the traditional, notability-based verification is within this same area. Look for the option to apply by meeting notability requirements.
4. Fill Out the Form: This is where you'll confirm your identity.
   • Step 1: Confirm authenticity. Enter your full name and upload a photo of an official government ID (like a passport or driver's license). If you're a business, you can use an official document like a tax filing, an article of incorporation, or a recent utility bill.
   • Step 2: Confirm notability.
     • Select the Category that best describes your account (e.g., Music, Sports, Fashion, Business/Brand, etc.).
     • List the Country/Region where you or your organization is most popular.
     • This is the most critical part: Provide links to articles, social media accounts, and other sources that show your account is in the public interest. Do not link to your own website, blog, or other social profiles. Focus on providing links to impartial press coverage. Strive for 5-10 strong, legitimate articles from recognizable publications.
5. Submit and Wait: Tap "Submit" and you're done. Instagram typically responds within a few days to 30 days, although it can sometimes take longer. You'll receive a notification in your activity feed with the decision - either yay or nay.

Your First Request Was Denied. Now What?

Breathe. Most people get denied on their first try, usually because of the "notability" requirement. A rejection is not a permanent ban - it's just a "not right now." You can reapply in 30 days. Don't just hit the apply button again immediately after the 30 days are up. Use that time wisely to build a better case for yourself. Think of the rejection as feedback telling you, "Go build more buzz off of Instagram." The blue check isn't won inside the app, it's earned outside of it.

Strategies to Boost Your Notability and Get Approved

If you were denied or want to get ahead of a potential rejection, the work you need to do has very little to do with Instagram itself. Your focus should be on building your public profile and brand reputation across the web.

1. Make a Name for Yourself Off-Platform

Verification is a reflection of your real-world influence. The best way to become "notable" is to do something newsworthy. Speak at an industry conference. Launch a unique project or product. Get a book published. Win an award. These activities provide legitimate reasons for news and media outlets to talk about you.

2. Actively Pursue Press Coverage

Don't wait for journalists to find you. You can take proactive steps to get featured in reputable publications:

• Answer Press Queries: Use services like Help a Reporter Out (HARO) or Qwoted. These platforms connect journalists with expert sources for their stories. Responding thoughtfully can land you quotes and mentions in articles, which are exactly what the Instagram review team is looking for.
• Thought Leadership: Write guest articles or op-eds for online publications in your niche. Focus on websites with a strong reputation and editorial standards. These articles establish you as an authority in your field.
• Hire a PR Professional: If you have the budget, a publicist can be a game-changer. Their job is to find storytelling angles and pitch you to their network of journalists to secure meaningful press coverage.

3. Optimize Your Entire Digital Footprint

When the Instagram review team searches your name, what do they find? A scattered presence doesn't inspire confidence. Make sure your online presence creates a cohesive, professional picture.

• Establish a Professional Website: Your website is your digital headquarters. It should link to your work, press features, and provide a clear overview of who you are and what you do.
• A Google Knowledge Panel is Gold: That box that appears on the side of Google search results for a person or brand? That's a Knowledge Panel. It's essentially Google's stamp of notability. While you can't directly create one, they often appear automatically when you have a Wikipedia page and sufficient press coverage - precisely the things Instagram reviewers are also looking for.
• Consider a Wikipedia Page (Carefully): Getting a Wikipedia page is difficult because they also have a strict "notability" requirement and frown upon self-promotion. You can't just create a page for yourself. It must be created and edited by the community based on independent, reliable sources. If you've earned enough press mentions, a Wikipedia editor might eventually create one for you. This is a very strong signal of notability.

Common Myths & Pitfalls to Avoid at All Costs

The path to verification is littered with misinformation. Falling for these myths can hurt your chances and even get your account shut down.

Myth 1: You Need a Million Followers to Get Verified

This is completely false. Verification is about authenticity and notability, not audience size. There are thousands of verified accounts with fewer than 10,000 followers, like niche journalists, local politicians, or emerging artists, because their notability is proven off-platform. Conversely, there are accounts with millions of followers that aren't verified because they lack sufficient press coverage.

Pitfall 1: Paying a "Verification Expert" on the Inside

Scammers run rampant in this space. Anyone who DMs you or promises they can get you verified for a fee is trying to trick you. They often claim to have an "insider" at Instagram. This is always a scam. There is no secret shortcut. Applying through the official channel is the only legitimate way. Engaging with these services could lead to you losing your money and your account.

Pitfall 2: Buying Press in "Spammy" Publications

You can't buy your way to notability. Some shady PR services will promise you "guaranteed features" in various online magazines. These are often low-quality sites that will publish anything for a price. Instagram's review team is smart enough to distinguish a paid placement in "LA Weekly Vibe" from a genuine article in Forbes or TechCrunch. Stick to earning real, reputable media mentions. One article in a well-respected outlet is worth more than a dozen paid mentions in junk publications.

Final Thoughts

Obtaining that coveted blue badge on Instagram is less about gaming the system and more about building a genuine brand that people care about. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Focus on creating value in your field, generating authentic public interest, and letting verification be the natural result of your impact, rather than chasing it as the ultimate goal.

Building that kind of notable presence requires incredible consistency across all your platforms. At Postbase, we built our visual calendar and scheduling tools specifically to help creators and brands manage that consistency without the chaos. By helping you plan and publish your content seamlessly - especially the short-form video that drives so much engagement today - we make it easier to focus on creating the great work that ultimately gets you noticed.