How to Get Verified Instagram Followers

That little blue checkmark next to an Instagram handle is more than just a status symbol, it's a sign of authenticity and authority in a crowded digital space. But getting verified on Instagram isn’t about some secret trick or having millions of followers. This guide will give you a clear, step-by-step path to building a profile that meets Instagram's criteria and show you exactly how to apply for verification the right way.

First Things First: What Does Instagram Actually Look For?

Before you even think about applying, you need to understand that Instagram verification is about one thing: authenticity. Instagram gives verification badges to public figures, celebrities, and global brands to help users find the real accounts they’re looking for. It’s designed to prevent impersonation and help people trust that the account they’re following is legit.

According to Instagram's official guidelines, your account must meet four core criteria. Let’s break them down into simple terms.

1. Your Account Must Be Authentic

This one is straightforward. Your account must represent a real person, a registered business, or a legal entity. You can’t create an account for your cat (unless your cat is a globally recognized celebrity like Grumpy Cat was) and expect it to get verified. You’ll need to prove this with an official government-issued ID (like a driver's license or passport) or official business documents (like a tax filing or utility bill).

2. Your Account Must Be Unique

Your account has to be the one and only presence of the person or business it represents. You generally can't have multiple verified accounts for the same entity. The one exception Instagram makes is for language-specific accounts, like a global brand that has a dedicated account for a specific country or region.

3. Your Account Must Be Complete

An incomplete profile is an automatic red flag for the review team. At a bare minimum, your account needs to be:

• Public: Private accounts cannot be verified. Period.
• Have a Bio: Your bio should be filled out and clearly state who you are or what your brand does.
• Have a Profile Photo: Use a clear headshot or official brand logo.
• Be Active: This means you should have at least a few posts and be actively using the account when you apply. An empty, inactive account will be rejected immediately.

4. Your Account Must Be Notable

This is the most important - and often misunderstood - part of the verification process. Notability is what separates accounts that get verified from those that don't. Instagram wants to verify accounts that represent a “well-known, highly searched for person, brand, or entity.”

What does that mean in practice? It means your name or brand needs to appear in multiple, legitimate, and independent news sources. Critically, Instagram specifies that paid or promotional content doesn't count. This means that press releases you paid to distribute, sponsored articles, and advertisements won’t help your case. They are looking for genuine, journalistic coverage of you or your brand.

The Verification Checklist: How to Apply Step-by-Step

Once you feel your account meets the criteria above, the application itself is pretty simple. You can do it directly within the Instagram app.

Here’s how to do it:

1. From your profile, tap the menu icon (three lines) in the top right corner.
2. Go to Settings and privacy &rarr, Creator tools and controls. (If you have a business account, this might appear as Business tools and controls).
3. Scroll down and tap Request Verification.
4. This will open the application form. Fill it out carefully and honestly.

The form has two main sections:

Step 1: Confirming Authenticity

This is where you’ll prove you are who you say you are. You’ll need to input your full legal name and upload a photo of an official document. Accepted documents include:

• A driver's license or passport for an individual.
• A tax filing, utility bill, or articles of incorporation for a business.

Make sure the photo of your document is clear and all information is readable. A blurry or dark image can lead to a rejection.

Step 2: Confirming Notability

Here you get to build your case. You need to select a Category for your account (e.g., Music, Sports, Fashion, Business/Brand, etc.) and specify the Country/Region where you or your organization is most popular.

The most important part of this section is the Links field. You can add up to five links to news articles and other public sources that show your account is in the public interest. These links are your proof of notability. Do not link to your other social media profiles (like TikTok or X). Instead, look for:

• News articles about you or your brand from major publications (think Forbes, The New York Times, TechCrunch, etc.).
• Features in notable industry magazines or blogs.
• Mentions from well-respected media outlets.
• A link to your Wikipedia page if you have one (a well-sourced Wikipedia page is a very strong signal of notability).

After you submit, all you can do is wait. Instagram says it will notify you of their decision within 30 days. You’ll get a simple yes or no in your notifications.

Building Your Case: How to Actually Become "Notable"

Just filling out the application isn't enough. The real work happens long before you hit "submit." Getting verified is less about the form and more about building a public profile that Instagram’s reviewers can easily recognize as "notable." Here's how to focus your efforts.

Establish Your Presence Outside of Instagram

Instagram is looking for real-world notability, not just social media fame. The single best thing you can do to get verified is to build your reputation on other platforms and in the media.

• Get Media Coverage: Start thinking like a publicist. Can you contribute a quote for an article? Do you have an interesting story a journalist might want to cover? Offer expert commentary in your field, share unique data, or launch something genuinely newsworthy. One feature in a respected publication is worth more than 10 sponsored posts.
• Guest on Podcasts or Blogs: Appearing on relevant podcasts or writing guest posts for popular blogs in your niche can help establish you as an authority and sometimes leads to other media opportunities.
• Google Yourself: Before applying, open an incognito browser window and Google your name or brand. Do multiple trusted sources show up on the first page? If not, you probably have more work to do before you'll be considered "highly searched for."

Optimize Your Instagram Profile for Professionalism

Your Instagram profile is your digital resume. It needs to look the part. An unprofessional or incomplete profile is a quick way to get your application tossed out.

• Write a Strong Bio: Your bio should clearly and concisely describe who you are or what your company does. Include your official title or your brand's unique value proposition. Use the link-in-bio to point to your official website - not another social profile.
• Post High-Quality, Consistent Content: Your photos, videos, and Reels should look professional, reflect your brand, and provide value to your audience. This helps show that you're an active, serious creator or business. A regular posting schedule signals to Instagram that your account is constantly maintained.

Grow Your Follower Count Organically

While Instagram says follower count isn’t a direct factor, an account with a decent, engaged following naturally appears more notable. A larger community comes across as a signal of public interest. However, how you get those followers is what matters.

Instagram wants to see authentic growth, not inflated numbers. Trying to get a blue check by buying followers is the fastest way to get your account flagged and even banned. Focus on real community-building instead:

• Engage with your audience in comments and DMs.
• Use a mix of relevant hashtags to reach new people.
• Collaborate with other respected creators or brands in your niche.
• Create shareable content, like helpful Reels or inspiring carousels, that your followers want to pass on.

What Not To Do (And How to Reapply If Rejected)

Trying to cheat the system is a bad idea. Instagram's team has seen it all, and taking shortcuts will only hurt your chances.

The Big 'Don'ts' of Verification

• NEVER Use a Third-Party Service: If someone messages you offering to get you verified for a fee, it's a scam. Block and report them immediately. Instagram does not charge for verification, and you cannot "buy" it.
• NEVER Buy Followers: As mentioned above, purchasing followers or engagement is against Instagram's terms of service and will immediately disqualify your application if detected.
• DON'T Provide Misleading Information: Falsifying documents or lying about your notability on your application can get your account banned permanently. Always be completely truthful.

Got Rejected? Don't Panic.

Many (if not most) accounts get rejected on their first try. Don't take it personally. If your request is denied, you can reapply again in 30 days.

Instead of just reapplying with the same information, use that 30-day window productively. Look at your profile with a critical eye. Was your documentation clear? Can you get another piece of press? Have you been posting consistently? Treat the rejection as feedback and spend the next month strengthening your case so your next application is even better.

Final Thoughts

Getting that blue check on Instagram is less about a secret formula and more about proving your authenticity and notability in the real world. By focusing on building your brand both on and off the platform, maintaining a professional profile, and engaging with your community, you turn yourself into the kind of public figure or brand Instagram wants to verify.

We know that building that consistent, professional presence is a day-in, day-out effort. At Postbase, we believe that your social media tools shouldn't make that job harder. Since we built our platform with a focus on modern content like Reels, Stories, and TikToks, our visual content calendar makes it simple to plan your strategy, schedule posts reliably, and manage all your engagement in one place. By streamlining the daily tasks, we help free you up to do the big-picture work - like landing that next media feature that builds your case for verification.