How to Get an Instagram Verification Badge for Free

That little blue checkmark next to an Instagram username is more than just a visual flex, it’s a stamp of authenticity from the platform itself. And while Meta has introduced a paid monthly subscription for verification, the original, FREE method to get verified still exists. This guide walks you through the exact steps to apply for the coveted blue badge without spending a dime and, more importantly, covers the essential strategies you need to actually get approved.

What the Instagram Verification Badge Actually Means

First, let’s clear up a common misconception. The verification badge isn't an endorsement from Instagram, nor is it a symbol of fame or importance. Its sole purpose is to confirm the authenticity of an account. It tells users that the account for a public figure, celebrity, or brand is, in fact, the real deal and not a fan page, parody, or imposter account.

To grant this badge for free, Instagram scrutinizes applicants based on a short but strict set of criteria. Understanding these rules is a must before you even think about hitting that "Apply" button.

Instagram’s Official Verification Criteria

Instagram is fairly transparent about what it’s looking for. Your account needs to be:

• Authentic: It must represent a real person, registered business, or entity. You’ll need to prove this with official identification documents.
• Unique: It must be the only presence of the person or business on the platform. Instagram typically doesn’t verify general interest accounts (e.g., @cutepuppypics). One badge per person or business is the rule, with exceptions for language-specific accounts.
• Complete: Your profile must be public and have a full bio, a profile picture, and at least one post. An incomplete, anonymous, or private profile will be immediately rejected.
• Notable: This is the big one and where most people get stuck. Your account must represent a “well-known, highly searched for” person, brand, or entity. Instagram’s review team checks for this by looking for your presence in multiple, reputable news sources.

Paid or promotional content doesn’t count here. They want to see genuine, organic mentions and features that establish you as a figure of public interest.

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

The application itself is surprisingly simple and only takes a few minutes from within the Instagram app. Here’s exactly how to do it:

1. Go to your Instagram profile and tap the three horizontal lines (the "hamburger" menu) in the top-right corner.
2. Tap on “Settings and Privacy.”
3. Scroll down and tap on “Creator tools and controls.” (For Business accounts, this might say “Business tools and controls.”)
4. Near the bottom of the list, tap “Request Verification.”
5. You will then be taken to the application form. This is where you need to confirm your identity and notability.

Filling Out the Application Form

This form is broken into two main parts. Be honest and thorough.

Step 1: Confirm Authenticity

• Full Name: Enter your full legal name as it appears on your government-issued ID.
• Document Type: You’ll need to upload a photo of a valid government-issued photo ID. This could be a driver's license, passport, or national identification card. For businesses, a tax filing document, a recent utility bill, or articles of incorporation work as well.

Step 2: Confirm Notability

• Category: Choose a category that best describes what you do (e.g., Music, Sports, Creator, Business/Brand/Organization).
• Country/Region: Enter the country where you or your business is a primary figure of public interest.
• Audience (Optional): Describe the people who follow your account. What are their interests? Why do they follow you? Be clear and concise.
• Known As (Optional): If you’re known by a different name or nickname (like a stage name), add it here.
• Links (Optional but ESSENTIAL): This is the most important part of the entire application. You can provide up to five links to news articles, social media accounts, or other websites that demonstrate your notability. Do not link to your own website or other social profiles you own. You need to prove other people are talking about you.

Once you’ve filled everything out, tap “Submit.” Instagram will review your request and you’ll typically hear back within a few days to a few weeks via a notification in your app. There is no email or other communication.

The Real Work: Building Notability to Get Approved

Submitting the application is the easy part. The real challenge is meeting the "notable" criteria. If you get denied, it's almost always because Instagram couldn't verify that you're a figure of public interest. Here’s a breakdown of actionable strategies to build your case and increase your chances of approval.

1. Create a Presence Outside of Instagram

Instagram verification is fundamentally about what happens off the platform. The review team essentially Googles you. If they find nothing, you won’t be verified. Your goal is to be featured in multiple, legitimate, and independent news sources.

Actionable Strategies:

• Offer Yourself as an Expert Source: Sign up for services like Help a Reporter Out (HARO). It’s a free service that connects journalists with sources for their stories. Responding to relevant queries in your area of expertise can land you quotes and mentions in reputable publications.
• Target Local Media: Is your business doing something interesting locally? Launching a new initiative or hosting a community event? Reach out to your local newspapers, TV stations, and bloggers. Getting featured in local news is a great stepping stone.
• Get Featured on Podcasts: Identify popular podcasts within your niche and pitch yourself as a guest. Being a featured guest on an established show is a strong signal of authority and public interest.
• Apply for Industry Awards: Winning or even being nominated for an industry award gives you instant credibility and often comes with press mentions.
• Press Releases That Get Noticed: A press release doesn’t guarantee an article, but if you have a genuinely newsworthy announcement, a well-crafted press release distributed to the right outlets can lead to organic media pickups.

2. Optimize Your Entire Digital Footprint

Your online presence needs to look professional and cohesive. A messy digital footprint can discredit your application.

• Keep Your Profile Impeccable: Your Instagram bio, profile picture, and overall feed aesthetic should look professional and clearly state who you are and what you do.
• Have a Clean Google Search Result: When someone searches your name or brand, what comes up on the first page? Ideally, it should be your official website, LinkedIn profile, professional social media accounts, and positive press mentions.
• Delete Old, Unused Accounts: If you have dormant social media accounts on other platforms, consider deactivating or deleting them. This helps reinforce that your primary accounts are the “unique” presence required for verification.

3. Consistently Publish High-Value Content

While follower count isn't an official requirement, a highly engaged account that is actively serving its community looks much more legitimate. Instagram wants to verify active, contributive members of its platform.

• Be Consistent: A steady stream of content signals to Instagram that you are an active user. Sporadic posting makes an account look abandoned.
• Leverage Video: Reels, in particular, have immense organic reach. Consistently creating shareable, valuable Reels can rapidly expand your audience and catch the attention of others in your industry, which can lead to collaboration and press opportunities.
• Engage with Your Community: Respond to comments and DMs. Actively participate in your niche. An account that feels like a real, two-way conversation is more likely to be seen as a valuable presence.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Getting your application rejected can feel frustrating, but some actions will guarantee a "no" or even get your account penalized.

• Never Hire a Third-Party Verification Service: Anyone claiming they can get you verified for a fee is running a scam. They are either stealing your money, your account information, or both. The only ways to get a badge are the free application process or a Meta Verified subscription.
• Don't Buy Followers: Fake followers are incredibly easy to spot and are a massive red flag. Having 100,000 bots as followers will hurt your case, not help it. Focus on building a real, engaged community.
• Don't Lie on Your Application: Providing false information or forged documents will not only get your request denied but could result in your account being permanently disabled.

What to Do if Your Verification Request Is Denied

It's very common to get a rejection letter on your first - or even second - try. Don’t be discouraged. The good news is you can reapply again in 30 days.

Use this time constructively. See it not as a failure, but as feedback. The denial almost certainly means you haven't built up enough notability yet. Revisit the strategies above. Focus on getting one or two more high-quality press features. Build more partnerships within your industry. Keep consistently creating killer content for your audience. Then, apply again with a stronger case.

Final Thoughts

Getting the Instagram verification badge for free is less about finding a shortcut and more about putting in the foundational work to build a public presence. It requires optimizing your profile, demonstrating authenticity, and most importantly, becoming a figure notable enough that others are talking about you online and in the press.

At our core, we know developing this kind of credible, active presence takes a ton of work, especially when it comes to consistently posting high-value content. Juggling ideas, getting videos ready, and publishing on a tight schedule can feel overwhelming. We built Postbase to streamline this entire process. Our visual calendar and modern scheduler, designed specifically for Reels and short-form video, make it far easier to plan and deploy the kind of content strategy that builds an authentic, authoritative brand worth verifying.