How to Get a Verified Badge on Instagram

That little blue checkmark next to an Instagram handle is one of social media’s most sought-after symbols. It signals authenticity and credibility, but the path to getting one is often misunderstood. This guide cuts through the myths and lays out the exact steps you need to take to apply for verification, and more importantly, what it truly takes to get approved.

What the Instagram Verified Badge Actually Means

Before you start the application process, it’s important to understand what verification is - and what it isn't. The verified badge is Instagram's way of confirming that an account is the authentic presence of a notable public figure, celebrity, or global brand it represents. The keyword here is "notable." Instagram wants to verify accounts that are well-known and highly searched for.

Here’s what verification is NOT:

• It is not an endorsement from Instagram.
• It does not unlock special features or give your content preferential treatment in the algorithm.
• It is not a status symbol awarded for having a lot of followers.

Think of it as a tool to prevent impersonation. If people are likely to create fan or impersonation accounts for you or your brand, verification helps your audience find the real one. Everything else is secondary.

The Official Requirements: Are You Eligible?

Instagram is surprisingly transparent about its criteria for verification. To be approved, your account must comply with its Terms of Use and Community Guidelines and meet these four core requirements:

1. Authentic

Your account must represent a real person, a registered business, or a legitimate entity. This is the simplest bar to clear. You’ll prove this by providing an official government-issued photo ID (for an individual) or official business documents like tax filings or articles of incorporation (for a brand).

2. Unique

Your account must be the unique presence of the person or business it represents. Generally, Instagram will only verify one account per person or business. This means fan accounts, feature accounts, and meme pages are not eligible.

The main exception is for language-specific accounts. For example, a global brand might have verified accounts for @brandusa, @branduk, and @brandjapan.

3. Complete

This is the basic profile setup. Your account must be public, have a full bio, a profile picture, and have made at least one post. An incomplete or private profile will be immediately rejected. Consider this the absolute bare minimum for starting the process.

4. Notable

This is the most critical and most difficult requirement to meet. It’s where nearly everyone gets stuck. Your account must represent a "well-known, highly searched for" person, brand, or entity. A massive follower count isn't enough, Instagram looks for external signals of notability.

So, how do you prove you're notable? You need to show up in the real world.

How to Become "Notable": Building Your Case for Verification

Before you even think about hitting that "Request Verification" button, your main job is to build a strong off-platform presence. The Instagram review team is basically going to Google you. If they don't find compelling evidence of your notability, your application will be denied. Here’s how to build your case.

Get Featured in Real News Sources

Instagram’s review team looks for features in "multiple credible news sources." This doesn't mean your own blog or press releases. It means legitimate, independent journalism.

• Earned Media is Gold: You need organic press coverage. This includes feature articles, interviews, reviews, or profiles about you or your brand in well-known publications. A mention in a listicle in a major outlet is good, a full profile piece is even better.
• What Doesn't Count: Instagram explicitly states that paid or promotional content will not be considered. This means no sponsored articles, no paid press-release distributions, and no features in publications known for "pay-to-play" coverage.
• Actionable Strategy:
  • Start with local news. Are you a local business owner with a unique story? Pitch your local TV station, newspaper, or business journal.
  • Use services like HARO (Help a Reporter Out) to respond to queries from journalists looking for expert sources in your niche.
  • Build relationships with writers and editors in your industry. Offer them unique insights or data, not just self-promotional pitches.

Strengthen Your Online Presence Beyond Instagram

What does someone find when they search your name or your brand's name? A robust digital footprint signals to Instagram that you are a legitimate and notable entity.

• A Professional Website: This is a non-negotiable. Your website serves as the central hub for your brand and is a basic signal of professionalism.
• Active Multi-Platform Strategy: Having a polished presence on other relevant social platforms (like LinkedIn, YouTube, X, or TikTok) shows you have a comprehensive brand identity.
• Aim for a Google Knowledge Panel: That box that appears on the right side of Google search results for a person, company, or brand? That's a strong indicator of notability. These are generated automatically by Google based on information it finds across the web, often tied to a Wikipedia page or significant press coverage.
• Consider a Wikipedia Page: Getting a Wikipedia page is notoriously difficult, as it requires citations from numerous independent, reliable sources. However, if you have enough press coverage to qualify for one, you are almost certain to qualify for Instagram verification.

Build Authority Within Your Niche

Position yourself as an expert or leader in your field. This authority generates the organic "buzz" that news outlets eventually pick up on.

• Speak at Events: Being a speaker at a conference or an industry event (even virtual ones) is a great way to build credibility.
• Be a Podcast Guest: Appearing on reputable podcasts in your industry puts you in front of a new audience and creates another digital data point about your expertise.
• Publish Thought Leadership: Write guest articles for respected industry blogs or publications. Create valuable content that others want to reference and share.

Think of it this way: the blue check is the final step. The real work is building a brand so impactful that verification becomes an afterthought, a simple confirmation of the status you’ve already earned.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for Verification

Once you’ve built your case and gathered several high-quality press links, you're ready to apply. The process itself is surprisingly simple and is done directly within the Instagram app.

1. Go to your profile, tap the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner to open the menu.
2. Tap on Settings > Account.
3. Scroll down and tap Request Verification.
4. You'll be taken to a form. Fill it out completely:
   • Step 1: Confirm Authenticity. You'll need to enter your full legal name and upload a copy of a government-issued photo ID (like a driver’s license or passport) or official business documents.
   • Step 2: Confirm Notability. This is the most important part of the application.
     • Select the Category that best describes your account (e.g., Creator, Business, Musician).
     • Add your Country/Region.
     • The Audience section is optional but recommended. Briefly describe who follows your account and why.
     • The Known As section is also optional. Add any other names you or your brand are known by.
     • The Links section is where you seal the deal. Add up to five links to news articles or other public references that show you are a notable figure. Choose your strongest, most credible, and most recent press. Do not include links to your other social media profiles.
5. Tap Submit.

And that’s it! Now, you wait. Instagram says it will notify you of its decision within 30 days. You'll receive a notification in your Activity feed. There are only two outcomes: approved or denied. There's no feedback or explanation if you're denied.

What Not to Do: Scams and Common Mistakes to Avoid

The desire for a blue check has created an ecosystem of scams and pitfalls. Please avoid these at all costs.

• NEVER Pay for Verification: Anyone, and we mean anyone, who claims they can get you verified for a fee is a scammer. Verification is free and can only be granted by Instagram. Paying someone will result in you losing your money and potentially your account access. It is a direct violation of Instagram's Terms of Service.
• Don't Use a "Verification Agency": There are agencies that claim to have inside connections at Meta. This is false. At best, they will charge you thousands to do public relations work you could do yourself, at worst, they will take your money and disappear.
• Don't Lie on Your Application: Do not forge documents or provide misleading information. If caught, Instagram will deny your request and may take further action, including permanently disabling your account.
• Don't Bother the Help Center: Submitting help tickets or trying to contact Instagram support about your verification application will not work. The review process is separate and cannot be influenced this way.
• Don't Be Impatient: If you are denied, you must wait 30 days before you can apply again. Use this time constructively to build out your press and digital footprint. Repeatedly applying without improving your notability will get you nowhere.

Final Thoughts

Getting a verified badge on Instagram is less about gaming the system and more about earning real-world recognition first. Focus on building a genuinely notable brand or personal profile through high-quality work, public relations, and a solid reputation in your field. The blue check will follow your success, not create it.

While you're creating buzz-worthy content and pitching journalists, maintaining a cohesive, professional social media presence is the foundation of it all. At Postbase, we built our platform to make this consistency easy. Our visual calendar can help you plan and execute a content strategy that makes your brand look polished and authoritative across all your channels - a key part of building that "notable" perception. A strong brand needs a solid strategy, and that's precisely where we fit in.