How to Get a Blue Verification Badge on Facebook

That blue checkmark next to a name on Facebook isn't just a symbol, it’s a stamp of authenticity and credibility. For years, it was an elusive badge reserved for public figures and major brands, but the landscape has recently changed. This guide breaks down the two distinct paths you can take to get a blue verification badge on your Facebook Profile or Page, covering both the traditional application process and the new paid subscription model.

What is the Facebook Verification Badge?

The blue verification badge on Facebook is a checkmark that appears next to a Page or Profile's name. Its primary purpose is to confirm for users that the account is the authentic presence of the public figure, celebrity, or global brand it represents. It helps distinguish real accounts from fan pages, parody accounts, or imposters.

In a crowded digital space, verification signals authority and builds trust with your audience. It can also help your account stand out in search results and give you access to certain features. Today, there are two different ways to get that coveted blue check: by proving your notability or through a monthly subscription.

Path 1: Applying for Traditional Verification (The Notability Method)

This is the original verification method, and it remains the standard for public figures, celebrities, journalists, athletes, politicians, and globally recognized brands. This path is not about paying a fee, it's about proving to Facebook that your account is of public interest and meets their strict criteria for notability. Success here is entirely based on your public profile and media presence, not your credit card.

Who is Eligible for Traditional Verification?

Facebook has four core standards an account must meet to be considered for this type of verification. Your Page or Profile must be:

• Authentic: It must represent a real person, a registered business, or a legitimate entity. You’ll need to prove this with official identification or business documents.
• Unique: It must be the only presence of the person or business it represents. Only one Page or Profile per entity can be verified, with exceptions for language-specific or location-specific accounts.
• Complete: Your account can’t be a bare-bones skeleton. It needs to have a completed "About" section, a profile photo, a cover photo, and a history of recent posts.
• Notable: This is the most crucial - and challenging - requirement. Your account must represent a well-known, highly searched-for person, brand, or entity.

Decoding "Notability": The Real Hurdle

So, what does "notable" actually mean in Facebook's eyes? The platform reviews accounts that are featured in multiple, independent, credible news sources. The key word here is independent.

Here’s what they're looking for:

• Legitimate Press Coverage: Features, articles, interviews, or significant mentions in well-respected news organizations count. This could be anything from a major national publication like The New York Times to a well-known digital outlet like TechCrunch or a leading industry magazine.
• Multiple Sources: A single article isn't enough. You need to demonstrate sustained public interest across several different publications over a period of time. Six strong, independent articles are a great target to aim for.
• Organic, Not Paid, Content: Press releases you paid to distribute on services like PR Newswire do not count. Sponsored content, advertisements, and any media you paid for is immediately disqualified. They want to see that journalists and publications find you newsworthy on their own accord.

For example, a business profile in a local newspaper about your grand opening is a good start. An interview with your CEO on a popular industry podcast is even better. A feature article about your company's innovative approach in a national magazine is exactly the kind of evidence you need.

How to Prepare Your Page or Profile

Before you even think about hitting that "Apply" button, you need to get your house in order. A sloppy page is an instant red flag.

1. Fully Optimize Your Profile: Fill out every single field. Add your website, detail your mission in the "About" section, and use high-resolution profile and cover photos that professionally represent your brand or persona.
2. Be Active and Engaging: A dormant page looks abandoned. Post consistently, interact with your followers in the comments, and show that there's a real, active presence behind the account.
3. Tidy Up Your Digital Footprint: Google your name or your brand's name. Make sure the results are professional and consistent. If you have an official website, LinkedIn profile, or other social media accounts, link them together to create a cohesive and authoritative online presence.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Traditional Verification

Once you’ve built up your notability and optimized your page, you can finally apply. The process is straightforward, but remember, the work is in the preparation, not the application itself.

1. Navigate to the "Request a Blue Verification Badge" form. The easiest way to find this is by searching for "Request Facebook verification" in Facebook's Help Center.
2. Choose what you are verifying (a Profile or a Page).
3. Confirm your authenticity by providing documentation.
   • For a person: You'll need a government-issued photo ID like a driver’s license or passport.
   • For a business or organization: You'll need official documents like articles of incorporation, tax filings, or a utility bill.
4. Confirm your notability. Select your category (e.g., News/Media, Sports, Business, etc.).
5. This is the most important step: Add up to six links to articles or online sources that show your public interest. Choose your absolute strongest examples of press coverage. Do not include your website or your own social media links here, these must be independent sources.
6. Click "Send."

Facebook will review your application and notify you of their decision, which can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. If you are denied, don't panic. You can re-apply after 30 days. Use that time to strengthen your notability by securing more press coverage.

Path 2: Subscribing to Meta Verified (The Paid Method)

In 2023, Meta introduced a new, much more accessible path to verification: Meta Verified. This is a monthly subscription service aimed primarily at creators and individuals who want to build their credibility and protect their accounts.

It's important to note that Meta Verified is primarily for individual profiles right now, though Meta is testing and slowly rolling out access for business pages. It’s also being rolled out by region, so it may not be available to you just yet.

Who is Eligible for Meta Verified?

The requirements for Meta Verified are much less demanding than the traditional path:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• You need a public or private profile with your full name that aligns with government ID standards.
• You need a profile picture that clearly shows your face.
• You must have a government-issued ID that matches the name and photo on your profile.
• You need to have two-factor authentication enabled on your account.
• You must meet minimum activity requirements, like having a prior posting history.

What You Get with Meta Verified

The subscription offers more than just a blue badge. Subscribers also receive:

• The Verification Badge: Confirms your identity and authenticity.
• Proactive Impersonation Monitoring: Meta actively monitors for accounts trying to impersonate you.
• Direct Account Support: Yes, you get access to a real human for common account issues. This is a massive perk for many users.
• Exclusive Features: You may get exclusive stickers for Stories and Reels, and in some markets, increased visibility and reach.

Step-by-Step: How to Subscribe to Meta Verified

If you're eligible and it's available in your region, signing up is simple.

1. Open your Facebook app and go to your profile.
2. Tap the three dots to open the "Profile Settings" menu.
3. If it's available, you will see an option for "Meta Verified." You can also access it through the "Accounts Center."
4. Select the profile you want to verify.
5. Set up your payment.
6. You'll be guided through the process of taking pictures of your government-issued ID to confirm your identity. Make sure your name and a recognizable picture of you are on the ID.
7. Once your identity is confirmed, your blue badge will appear.

One important thing to know is that if you change your profile name, username, date of birth, or profile photo, you may have to go through the verification process again.

Final Thoughts

Getting a blue verification badge on Facebook is no longer an insurmountable goal. You can earn it the old-fashioned way by building public notability and proving your account is of public interest, or you can subscribe to Meta Verified for an accessible monthly fee that offers both a badge and valuable account protection.

Building the kind of consistent, professional presence that attracts media attention requires a solid content strategy, which is the foundation of the notability path. At Postbase, we built our platform to make that process effortless. By using our visual calendar to plan your content and our reliable scheduler to post across all your social platforms, you can focus on creating high-quality content that builds your brand's authority, which is a huge part of the verification game.