How to Get Your Business Verified on Instagram

That little blue checkmark next to a business name on Instagram is more than just a status symbol, it's a powerful signal of authenticity and trust. This guide walks you through exactly what Instagram looks for when granting verification and provides actionable steps you can take to prepare your business account for the application process.

What Exactly Is the Instagram Blue Check?

The Instagram verification badge is an icon that appears next to an account's name in search and on the profile. Its sole purpose is to confirm that the account is the authentic presence of the public figure, celebrity, or global brand it represents. It's Instagram's way of telling users, "Yes, this is the real deal."

However, it's important to understand what the blue checkmark is not. It does not mean Instagram endorses the account, nor does it grant special treatment or visibility in the algorithm, feed, or Explore page. It's purely about proving you are who you say you are and that your brand holds a certain level of public interest.

Why Verification Matters for Your Business

While it doesn't boost your posts algorithmically, getting your business verified on Instagram provides several tangible benefits that strengthen your brand.

• It Builds Immediate Trust: In an online world filled with bots and fake accounts, the blue check instantly signals credibility. Users are more likely to trust your content, engage with your posts, and feel comfortable purchasing from a verified business.
• It Protects Your Brand from Impersonation: One of the biggest threats to a growing brand is impersonator accounts. Scammers create look-alike profiles to fool your customers, tarnish your reputation, or steal information. A verified badge makes it easy for your audience to identify the official account and report fakes.
• It Enhances Brand Perception: Verification adds a layer of professionalism and authority to your profile. It shows that your business is established and significant enough for Instagram to recognize officially, which can be a deciding factor for potential partners, collaborators, and customers.
• It Improves Discoverability: While not a direct ranking boost, verified accounts often appear higher in search results than unverified ones with similar names. This makes it easier for potential followers to find you instead of landing on a fan page or an impersonator account.

Understanding Instagram's Two Paths to Verification

In the past, there was only one way to get verified: prove you were notable. Today, there are two distinct paths. It's important to know the difference and which one is right for your business.

1. Traditional Verification (Based on Notability)

This is the original, merit-based verification. It's free to apply for but much harder to get. You must prove to Instagram that your brand is "notable" - in other words, well-known, highly searched for, and featured in multiple news sources. This path is less about who you are and more about what the world says about you.

2. Meta Verified Subscription (Based on Identity)

This is a newer, paid subscription model. For a monthly fee, you can get a verification badge by proving your identity, not your notability. It's designed to help up-and-coming creators and businesses build credibility and gain access to enhanced support.

So, which one should you choose? If your business generates significant press mentions and is a recognizable name in your industry, the traditional path is the gold standard. If you're a newer or smaller business and want the benefits of the blue check without the notability requirement, the Meta Verified subscription is an excellent alternative. As of now, Meta Verified for businesses is still rolling out, so your eligibility may vary.

How to Qualify for Traditional Verification: The "NAUC" Criteria

To get verified the traditional way, Instagram evaluates your account based on four primary criteria. Your account must be:

• Authentic: Your account must represent a real person, registered business, or entity. You will need to prove this with official business documents, such as tax filings, a recent utility bill, or articles of incorporation.
• Unique: Your account must be the unique presence of the person or business it represents. Generally, Instagram only verifies one account per business. Exceptions are sometimes made for language-specific or region-specific accounts.
• Complete: Your account must be public (not private), have a complete bio, a profile picture, and have at least one post. An active account is seen as more legitimate.
• Notable: This is the most difficult requirement to meet. Your account must represent a well-known, highly searched-for brand featured in multiple credible, independent news sources. Paid or promotional content does not count.

The "notable" criterion is where most businesses fall short. Instagram’s review team wants to see organic media coverage that shows a genuine public interest in your brand. Simply having a lot of followers isn't enough. Press mentions from major publications, features in industry-leading blogs, or news reports about your company are the kind of proof they are looking for.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for Verification

The application process itself is straightforward and happens directly inside the Instagram app. Here’s how to do it.

1. Navigate to your profile and tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner to open the menu.
2. Go to Settings and Privacy.
3. Tap on Account Center.
4. Here, you will see your two options:
   • For a subscription, tap on Meta Verified. If it's available for your account, you will be guided through the setup and payment process. This typically involves confirming your identity with a government-issued ID.
   • For traditional notability-based verification, tap on Request Verification. You will be taken to the application form.

For "Request Verification" (the traditional path):

5. Step 1: Confirm Authenticity. You'll need to enter your business's legal name and upload a clear picture of an official business document. Good options include:
   • Tax filing or returns
   • Articles of incorporation
   • A recent utility bill with your business name
6. Step 2: Confirm Notability. Choose a category for your account (e.g., Business/Brand/Organization) and the country/region where your business is most prominent.
7. Step 3: Provide Links to Press Coverage (Optional but Recommended). This is your chance to prove you are notable. You can add up to three links to articles or media features about your brand. Choose your best sources! A feature in Forbes, TechCrunch, or a major local newspaper carries far more weight than a guest post on a small blog. Remember, promotional content and social media profiles are not valid sources.
8. Step 4: Submit Your Application. After you've filled everything out, tap "Submit."

What Happens After You Apply?

Patience is key. Instagram says it will notify you of its decision within 30 days, although it can sometimes be quicker. You will receive a notification in your activity feed. There are only two outcomes: approved or denied. There is no feedback given on a denied application.

If your application is denied, don't worry. It's not a permanent ban. You can re-apply again after 30 days. Use this time as an opportunity to build your brand’s public profile. Focus on strategies to gain more non-paid media coverage before submitting your next application.

How to Seriously Increase Your Chances of Getting Verified

Applying is easy, but getting approved requires groundwork. Here are the most effective strategies to build a profile that Instagram wants to verify.

1. Focus Heavily on Public Relations and Earned Media

This is, by far, the most important factor for traditional verification. You need to show Instagram that other people are talking about you. Instead of buying ads, invest time in PR:

• Pitch a Story: Do you have a compelling founding story? Did your business accomplish something newsworthy? Pitch your story to journalists and editors at relevant industry publications, both online and in print.
• Use HARO: Sign up for Help a Reporter Out (HARO). It's a free service that connects journalists with expert sources. Responding to queries in your niche is a great way to get quoted in articles.
• Collaborate: Partner with established, notable figures or brands in your industry. Co-hosting a webinar or releasing a joint project can generate buzz and lead to media features.

2. Optimize Your Entire Online Ecosystem

When an Instagram reviewer looks at your application, they often perform a quick Google search. What they find matters.

• Have a professional website linking to your Instagram.
• Maintain active, professional profiles on other relevant social media platforms (LinkedIn, Facebook, X, etc.).
• Ensure your business appears in Google search results with consistent branding. A strong Google Knowledge Panel is a very positive signal.

3. Be Professional and Avoid Bad Practices

Treat your application and your account with professionalism. There are a few things you should absolutely never do.

• Don't Lie on Your Application: Never provide false information or fake documents. Doing so will not only get your application denied but could lead to your entire account being disabled.
• Don't Use a Third-Party Verification Service: Anyone claiming they can get you verified for a fee is a scammer. They cannot influence Instagram’s decision, and giving them your account information is a massive security risk. Apply directly through the app––it's the only legitimate way.
• Don't Buy Followers: Having a large follower count can look good, but fake followers offer zero engagement and are easily spotted by Instagram's systems. An account with 10,000 real, engaged followers is far more valuable and legitimate than one with 100,000 bought followers.

Final Thoughts

Earning that blue check for your business is a mark of distinction that confirms your brand's authenticity and notability in a crowded digital marketplace. Whether you pursue traditional verification by building your public presence or opt for the new Meta Verified subscription, the goal is the same: to show your audience that they can trust you.

Building that kind of authentic online presence starts with consistently showing up with high-quality content, not just on Instagram but across all your social channels. At Postbase, we designed our platform to make this process seamless. Our visual calendar helps you plan a professional content strategy, and our reliable scheduler ensures your posts go live on time, every time, helping you build the active and complete profile that Instagram's review team wants to see.