How to Get Meta Verified on Instagram

Getting that famous blue check on Instagram is no longer a cryptic process reserved only for celebrities and global brands. With the rollout of Meta Verified, an Instagram verification badge is now a clear, attainable goal for many creators and entrepreneurs. This guide will walk you through exactly what Meta Verified is, who's eligible, and the step-by-step process to get your own blue badge.

What Exactly is Meta Verified?

Put simply, Meta Verified is a paid subscription bundle that helps creators establish their presence on Instagram and Facebook. For a monthly fee, you get a package of tools and benefits designed to build credibility and protect your account. It's an accessible way to get the verification badge, but it also comes with several other perks that make it a compelling offer for anyone serious about growing their personal brand online.

The Core Benefits of a Meta Verified Subscription

While the blue check is the most visible perk, the subscription includes a handful of other valuable features. Understanding these helps you decide if the monthly cost is a worthwhile investment for your brand.

• Verification Badge: The most obvious benefit. The blue checkmark confirms that your account is authentic - that you are who you say you are. This simple signal can build immediate trust with your audience and potential collaborators.
• Proactive Account Protection: This is arguably one of the most underrated features. Meta provides active monitoring for account impersonation. If a fake account pops up pretending to be you, Meta’s systems are more likely to catch it and take action quickly. For creators who have dealt with copycat accounts, this alone can be worth the price.
• Direct Account Support: Ever felt like you were shouting into the void when dealing with an Instagram issue? Meta Verified gives you access to support from a real person for common account issues. This direct line can be a lifesaver when you’re troubleshooting problems that could impact your brand's visibility.
• Exclusive Features: Subscribers get special access to unique stickers for Instagram Stories and Reels. This allows your content to stand out a little more in a crowded feed. Meta has also mentioned that other exclusive features will be added over time.

Not All Blue Checks Are the Same: Legacy vs. Meta Verified

Before the paid subscription, Instagram’s blue check was something of a legend. It was known as "legacy verification" and was granted for free, but only to accounts that Instagram deemed "notable." This was typically reserved for public figures, celebrities, journalists, politicians, and globally recognized brands. The process was opaque, applications were often rejected without a clear reason, and it felt unattainable for most everyday creators.

Meta Verified changes all of this. It democratizes the blue check by making it available to anyone who can prove their identity and is willing to pay the monthly subscription fee. Both legacy checks and paid verification badges look identical on your profile. If you already have a legacy blue checkmark, you don’t need to do anything - you keep it without having to subscribe.

The new paid tier doesn't diminish the value of legacy verification, it simply provides a new path for creators who don’t meet the classic "notability" criteria but still want to authenticate their identity and access premium features.

Who Can Get Meta Verified? Checking the Eligibility List

Before you get ready to sign up, it's a good idea to make sure you meet the criteria. The requirements are straightforward and designed to confirm that you are a real person with an established presence. Here's a quick checklist.

The Essential Requirements

• You must be at least 18 years old. Verification is for adults only.
• You need a public or private profile associated with your full name. Your profile name should be consistent with your legal name. Variations are sometimes accepted, but the name on your government ID should be clearly connected.
• Your profile picture must clearly show your face. The system needs to visually match your profile picture with the photo on your government-issued ID. A picture of your dog or a logo won't work for a personal profile verification.
• Two-factor authentication must be enabled. This is a security requirement to help protect your account. If you don't have it turned on, Instagram will prompt you to set it up during the signup process.
• You must provide a government-issued photo ID. The name and photo on your ID must match the name and photo on the Instagram account you're verifying. Acceptable forms of ID typically include a driver's license or passport.
• You need to have a prior posting history. Your account can't be brand new and empty. You need to show that you're an active user, though Meta doesn't specify a minimum number of posts or followers.

One important thing to note is that Meta Verified was initially rolled out for individual creators and personal profiles, not businesses. However, a separate "Meta Verified for Businesses" plan is currently in testing and may become widely available in the future. For now, the process is primarily intended for people, not company pages.

How to Sign Up for Meta Verified: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to apply? The entire process happens directly within the Instagram app and is usually very quick. Just follow these steps.

1. Go to Your 'Accounts Center'

Open the Instagram app and navigate to your profile page. Tap the menu icon (the three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner. From there, select Settings and Privacy, and then tap on Accounts Center.

At the bottom of the Accounts Center menu, you should see an option for Meta Verified. If it says "Meta Verified available" under your name, you're good to go! If you don't see this option, it may be because Meta hasn’t rolled it out to your account yet, as the feature is still being expanded globally.

2. Select the Profile You Want to Verify

After tapping on 'Meta Verified,' you'll see a list of the profiles linked in your Accounts Center (which might include your Facebook profile). Choose the Instagram profile you wish to sign up for. If you want to verify both your Instagram and Facebook accounts, you can often do so with a bundled subscription at a discounted price.

3. Set Up Your Payment

You’ll be presented with the monthly subscription price and a list of the benefits. The cost is typically around $14.99 per month when purchased through the iOS or Android app stores, or slightly less if you sign up via the web. Confirm the payment by tapping 'Pay now' and following the prompts to complete the transaction through the app store.

4. Complete the Identity Verification Process

This is the final hurdle. You will need to confirm your identity by uploading a photograph of a government-issued ID. Instagram will prompt you to take a clear, well-lit photo of the front and back of your ID. Make sure your name and picture are easily readable.

This step is critical: your profile name and photo on Instagram must match what’s on your ID. If they don’t, your application will almost certainly be rejected. Take a moment before starting this step to ensure your profile picture is a clear shot of your face and your profile name reflects your legal name.

5. Wait for Confirmation

Once you’ve submitted your ID, Meta’s team will review your application. This process usually is faster, but Meta says it can take up to 48 hours. You’ll receive a notification once the review is complete. If approved, the blue checkmark will immediately appear on your profile, and you’ll have access to all the subscription benefits. If your application is rejected, you will receive a refund.

Things to Keep in Mind After You're Verified

Getting the blue check is exciting, but there are a few important rules and considerations that come with it. Knowing these will save you potential headaches down the road.

Profile Changes Are Restricted

This is the big one. Once you are successfully verified through the Meta Verified subscription, you cannot change your profile name, username, date of birth, or profile picture without canceling your subscription and going through the entire verification process from scratch. Make sure you are completely happy with your username and profile details before you apply, as they will be locked in for as long as you remain subscribed.

Weighing the Cost vs. The Benefit

Is Meta Verified worth it for everyone? Not necessarily. It shines for specific types of users:

• Aspiring Creators: The blue check adds a layer of professionalism and trust that can help you stand out and attract brand partnerships.
• Anyone Worried About Impersonation: If keeping fake accounts at bay is a constant struggle, the proactive account protection can offer genuine peace of mind.
• Users Who Need Support: If you’ve ever wished you could just talk to a person at Instagram, a direct support line is a huge perk.

For casual users or those who rarely face issues with their account, the monthly fee might not feel justified. It’s a business expense, and it’s best treated as such.

Final Thoughts

Getting the Meta Verified blue check on Instagram is a straightforward subscription process, offering creators a toolkit for protection, support, and credibility. By following the eligibility requirements and application steps, you can secure your badge and enhance your brand's presence on the platform.

As you're growing that verified presence, managing your content calendar shouldn't add to your workload. We built Postbase to simplify exactly that, with a visual calendar that makes planning your Reels and Stories easy, and rock-solid scheduling so your posts always go live as planned. It lets you focus on creating great content without wrestling with a clunky tool built for a decade ago.