How to Get a Checkmark on Instagram

That little blue checkmark next to an Instagram handle is more than just a status symbol, it's a mark of authenticity that helps users distinguish real accounts from fakes. Getting one used to feel like an impossible task reserved for A-list celebrities, but the process has changed. This article breaks down the two distinct paths to getting verified on Instagram today, the step-by-step application process, and actionable strategies to build the kind of profile that Instagram wants to recognize.

What Does the Instagram Checkmark Really Mean?

Before we go any further, it's important to understand what that blue badge signifies. At its core, Instagram verification is about proving authenticity. It tells the world that you are exactly who you say you are. This is particularly important for public figures, brands, and creators who are at risk of being impersonated.

Here’s what the checkmark is not:

• It is not an algorithmic boost. Instagram has been clear that verified accounts do not get preferential treatment in the feed or on the Explore page. Your content's performance still depends on its quality and engagement.
• It is not a measure of follower count. While many verified accounts have a lot of followers, there is no minimum follower requirement to get verified. It's about notability, not popularity alone.
• It is not an endorsement from Instagram. The badge simply confirms the account's identity, it doesn't mean Instagram co-signs the content you post.

Understanding this helps shift your mindset. The goal isn’t just to get a checkmark, it's to build a brand or profile that is authentic and notable enough to warrant one.

The Two Roads to a Blue Check: Meta Verified vs. Traditional Verification

In the past year, the landscape of Instagram verification has changed significantly. There are now two completely different ways to get that coveted blue badge next to your name.

Path 1: Meta Verified (The Paid Subscription)

Meta Verified is a paid monthly subscription service that offers a verification badge along with a few other perks. Think of this as the fast-track option for individuals who want to confirm their identity and get access to enhanced support.

What you get with Meta Verified:

• A verification badge: Confirms your identity with a government-issued ID.
• Proactive impersonation monitoring: Meta actively monitors for accounts trying to impersonate you.
• Direct account support: Access to a real human for common account issues (a huge benefit for many creators).
• Exclusive stickers for Stories and Reels.

Eligibility for Meta Verified:

To be eligible, you need to meet a few basic requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a public or private profile associated with your full name that aligns with naming standards.
• Have a profile picture that clearly shows your face.
• Enable two-factor authentication.
• Meet minimum activity requirements (e.g., prior posting history).
• Have a government-issued ID that matches the name and photo on your profile.

Meta Verified is available for personal and professional creator accounts, but it’s still rolling out for business profiles. The subscription is a straightforward way for the average user or creator to establish authenticity without needing to be famous.

Path 2: Traditional Verification (Based on Notability)

This is the original, free "earned" verification process designed for public figures, celebrities, and global brands. It’s significantly harder to achieve because it’s not just about proving you're real, it's about proving you're notable.

Instagram defines notable as an account representing a "well-known, highly searched for person, brand, or entity." This is the path we'll focus on for the rest of this guide, as it requires strategic brand building both on and off the platform.

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

If you believe your account meets the traditional notability criteria, the application process itself is simple and takes just a few minutes directly within the Instagram app. Remember, you can apply once every 30 days.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Navigate to your Instagram profile and tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner to open the menu.
2. Tap on Settings and Privacy.
3. If you have a creator account, tap on Creator tools and controls. If you have a business account, tap on Business tools and controls.
4. Scroll down and tap on Request Verification.
5. You'll be taken to the application form. Here, you need to complete two main steps:
   • Confirm Authenticity: You'll need to provide your full legal name and upload a clear photo of a government-issued ID (like a driver's license or passport). For businesses, you can use official business documents like a tax filing or utility bill.
   • Confirm Notability: This is where you make your case. You’ll select your account's category (e.g., News/Media, Sports, Music, Fashion) and the country/region where you're most popular. Then, you have an optional but highly recommended space to describe your audience and why they follow you. Most importantly, you can provide up to five links to news articles, social media accounts, and other sources that demonstrate your public interest.
6. After filling out the form, tap Submit.

Now, you wait. Instagram will review your application and notify you of their decision in your Notifications tab, usually within a few weeks. The key to a successful application isn't filling out the form correctly, it's what you do before you ever hit submit.

Boosting Your Chances: The Four Pillars of Notability

Instagram reviewers are looking for four main things when they assess an account for traditional verification: being authentic, unique, complete, and notable. Let's break down what those mean in practical terms and what you can do to strengthen each area.

1. Be Authentic: You Are Who You Say You Are

This is the most straightforward pillar. Your account must represent a real person, a registered business, or a legitimate entity. This is verified through your government ID or official business documents. There's no faking this step, and if you're not representing a real entity, you won't pass go.

2. Be Unique: The One and Only Presence

Your account needs to be the unique presence of the individual or business it represents. Generally, Instagram will only verify one account per person or brand. The exceptions are for language-specific accounts (e.g., a Spanish-language version of a global brand's account).

This also means your account shouldn't be a general interest or "fan" page. Pages that re-post content from others or focus on broad themes like "Inspirational Quotes" or "Beautiful Landscapes" are not eligible for traditional verification because they don't represent a unique person or entity. You have to be the official source.

3. Be Complete: Your Profile is Primed and Ready

Before applying, you need to have your house in order. Instagram is not going to verify an account that looks half-finished. A "complete" profile must meet these criteria:

• It must be public. Private accounts cannot be verified.
• It must have a bio. Your bio should clearly state who you are or what your business does.
• It must have a profile photo.
• It must have at least one post. While there is no official rule, it's best to have a well-established account with a history of consistent posting.

One critical detail: Your profile cannot contain "add me" links encouraging users to follow you on other social platforms. A link to your official website, blog, or store is fine, but a Linktree full of links to your TikTok, X, and YouTube profiles could get your application denied. Instagram wants to verify accounts that are centered on the Instagram platform.

4. Be Notable: Build Your Off-Platform Presence

This is the most difficult pillar to achieve and where the vast majority of applications fail. Being "notable," in Instagram's eyes, means your name, brand, or persona is highly searched for and featured in multiple legitimate news sources. Being Instagram-famous is not enough.

So, how do you become "notable"? You need to generate press and publicity outside of Instagram.

What counts as a "notable" source:

• Features and articles in major national or international publications (e.g., Forbes, The New York Times, Vogue, TechCrunch).
• Mentions on television news broadcasts.
• Features in well-respected online industry magazines.
• A Wikipedia page that follows the platform's notability guidelines.

What does not count:

• Paid or sponsored content. If an article has "Sponsored Post," "Branded Content," or a similar disclaimer, Instagram's review team will disregard it.
• Press releases. Services like PRWeb and PRNewswire are not considered independent news coverage.
• Mentions in blogs or self-published mediums.
• Your own website or your brand's blog.

The best strategy is to focus on getting genuine, organic press. Hire a PR professional, pitch compelling story angles to journalists in your niche, or achieve something newsworthy in your field that leads to media coverage. When you apply, those five links you provide should be your strongest pieces of third-party evidence that people are talking about you.

Rejected? Don't Panic. Here's What to Do Next.

Receiving an email stating your application was denied is disheartening, but it's very common. Don't take it personally, and definitely don't try to get around the system.

Warning: Never, ever pay a third party who claims they can get you verified for a fee. These are almost always scams. The only legitimate ways to get a blue check are through the official application process or by subscribing to Meta Verified.

If you're denied, you have to wait 30 days before you can apply again. Use that time constructively:

• Review your application objectively. Where were you weakest? Most likely, it was in the "notable" category.
• Focus on building your brand off-platform. Spend the next month working on a PR strategy. Reach out to journalists with a great story idea. Collaborate on a project that might generate some buzz.
• Optimize your profile. Make sure it’s fully complete and serves as a strong central hub for your brand identity.

In the meantime, you can still establish your authenticity by linking to your verified profiles on other platforms (like X or Facebook) from your official website, and then linking that website in your Instagram bio.

Final Thoughts

Getting the blue checkmark on Instagram boils down to one of two things: subscribing to Meta Verified to confirm your identity or proving to Instagram that you are a notable public figure through earned media and recognition. While follower count can be a byproduct of notability, the real measure is the conversation happening about you off the platform.

Building a notable brand means showing up consistently with high-quality content - especially with Reels and Stories that grab attention. A checkmark often comes after you’ve put in that work. We designed Postbase to make that consistency feel effortless, providing a simple visual calendar to plan your entire content strategy and reliable scheduling for video-first platforms like Instagram and TikTok, so you can spend your time on the creative work that gets people talking.