How to Request Verification on Instagram

That little blue checkmark next to an Instagram handle is more than just a digital pat on the back, it's a powerful signal of authenticity and credibility. While it might seem exclusive, the process of requesting verification is surprisingly straightforward and open to everyone. This guide breaks down exactly what you need to do to apply and, more importantly, what you can do to significantly improve your chances of getting approved.

What Does the Blue Checkmark Actually Mean?

Before we get into the "how," let's be clear on the "what." Instagram's verified badge is confirmation that an account is the authentic presence of the notable public figure, celebrity, or global brand it represents. That’s it. It’s not a reward for having a lot of followers, an endorsement from Instagram, or a sign that your content is high quality (though that helps).

The core purpose of verification is to prevent impersonation. If you’re a person or brand that people are actively searching for and could potentially be impersonated, you’re a candidate for verification. The benefits are clear:

• Trust and Credibility: It instantly tells users that your profile is the real deal, which builds trust with your audience and potential collaborators.
• Brand Protection: It distinguishes your official account from fan pages, parody accounts, or malicious impersonators.
• Enhanced Authority: While it doesn't boost your posts in the algorithm, the badge naturally lends an air of authority to your account, which can help with brand perception.

Before You Apply: Are You Eligible for Verification?

Anyone can request verification, but getting approved means meeting Instagram's specific, non-negotiable criteria. They review each application manually, looking for four key attributes. Your account must be:

1. Authentic

This is the easy one. Your account must represent a real person, a registered business, or a legitimate entity. You'll need to prove this with an official government-issued photo ID (like a passport or driver's license) or official business documents (like a tax filing or utility bill).

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. The only major exception is for language-specific accounts. For example, a global brand might have verified accounts for @brandUSA and @brandUK. Fan accounts, feature accounts, and meme pages are not eligible.

3. Complete

Your profile needs to look like a "real," active account. To be considered, your profile must:

• Be public (private accounts cannot be verified).
• Have a full bio.
• Have a profile picture.
• Have at least one post published.

Critically, your bio cannot contain "add me" links to your other social media services. A link to your website, podcast, or products is fine, but linking out to your TikTok or YouTube profile can get your application immediately rejected.

4. Notable

This is where almost everyone gets stuck, and it's the most important factor by a long shot. Being "notable," according to Instagram, means your account represents a "well-known, highly searched for person, brand, or entity."

How do they check this? They look for proof outside of Instagram. They are looking for organic, independent media coverage. During the application process, you'll have a chance to submit links to articles, and the reviewers are looking for things like:

• Features in major national or international news outlets (a mention in a list is good, a full profile piece is great).
• Articles about you or your brand in respected industry magazines.
• Press coverage of a major event, product launch, or piece of work.

Things that do not count towards notability include paid or sponsored media, press releases, self-published blogs, or content you wrote about your own brand. Being big on another social platform doesn't automatically make you notable either - they need to see independent, editorial coverage.

How to Request Verification on Instagram (The Easy Part)

The application itself only takes a few minutes inside the app. If you believe you meet the criteria above, here's exactly what to do.

1. Navigate to your Instagram profile and tap the 'menu' icon (the three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner.
2. Tap 'Settings and privacy'.
3. If you're using a professional account, tap on either 'Business tools and controls' or 'Creator tools and controls'. For a personal account this step may not be needed.
4. Scroll down and tap on 'Request verification'.
5. You'll land on the application page. Here, you need to complete two main steps:
   • Step 1: Confirming Your Authenticity You’ll enter your full legal name and upload a photo of an official document. Make sure the name on your document matches the name you entered.
     • For a personal account, use a driver’s license, passport, or national identification card.
     • For a business account, use an official business document like a tax filing, a recent utility bill in the company’s name, or articles of incorporation.
   • It sounds invasive, but this information is only used to confirm your identity and is not shared publicly on your profile.
   • Step 2: Proving Your Notability This is your chance to make your case. First, select a category that best describes your account (e.g., Creator, Musician, Brand, etc.). Then add the country or region where you or your organization is most well-known. Next comes the most important field: 'Links'. This is optional, but you absolutely should not skip it. Provide 3-5 links to articles and media coverage that show your notability. Think quality over quantity. One link to a feature in a major national newspaper is worth ten links to small local blogs or corporate partner websites. Avoid linking to your own website or other social media profiles here. This section is purely for third-party, independent press coverage.
6. Once you’ve filled everything out, tap 'Submit' and your request is sent to the review team.

The Waiting Game: What Happens After You Click Submit?

Now, you wait. Instagram says it can take up to 30 days to review your application, although it can often be much faster. You'll receive a notification directly in your activity feed letting you know if you've been approved or denied.

What if you get rejected?

First, don't panic. It's very common to be denied on your first attempt, especially on the 'notability' requirement. Rejection is not a permanent 'no.' The good news is you can re-apply again after 30 days.

Do not immediately re-apply after 30 days without changing anything. Use that month to work on building your public profile. Getting denied is a sign that you haven’t yet built a strong enough case. Also, a word of caution: never, ever pay a third party who claims they can get you verified. This is a scam, it’s against Instagram’s policies, and it can get your account banned.

How to Actually Boost Your Chances of Getting Verified

Getting your application submitted is easy. Getting it approved is a strategic game. If you're serious about getting that blue badge, focus your energy on becoming "notable" in the eyes of an Instagram reviewer.

1. Get Press Coverage Off of Instagram

This is the biggest factor, period. Your goal is to secure placements in legitimate news sources. You don't need to be on the cover of a national magazine, but you do need articles written about you that you didn't pay for. Reach out to journalists in your niche, work with a public relations professional, or do something newsworthy that an industry publication would genuinely want to cover. This takes time, but it's the surest path to meeting the notability requirement.

Start a Google News search for your name or brand. If nothing comes up, you know what you need to work on.

2. Be The Go-To Source for Something

Press often follows authority. Whether you're an expert in sustainable fashion, cryptocurrency, or small business accounting, position yourself as a go-to source. Post valuable content, participate in industry discussions (on platforms like LinkedIn or X), speak at industry events, or get quoted in other people's articles. Reputation builds on itself, and journalists are always looking for credible experts to feature.

3. Completely Optimize Your Profile

Make sure your Instagram account looks professional and complete. A reviewer is a real person, and first impressions matter. Have a high-quality profile picture, a clear and professional bio explaining who you are and what you do, and a grid of consistent, high-value content. An incomplete or messy profile doesn’t scream "notable."

4. Address Impersonators Immediately

The entire point of verification is to combat impersonation. If fake accounts are already popping up using your name or brand, it actually strengthens your case. Be sure to report every single one of them. While it's no guarantee, it helps demonstrate a clear and present need for Instagram to verify the authentic account - which is you.

Final Thoughts

Getting the coveted blue check on Instagram is less about a secret trick and more about your established presence in the world. Completing the application is the final, easy step of a much longer process of building a notable brand. The key is to shift your focus from chasing the badge to building a reputation that genuinely warrants it.

Building that kind of reputation takes an incredible amount of consistent, high-quality content, not just on Instagram but across every platform where your audience gathers. We know how draining that can be, which is why we’ve designed Postbase to make that process painless. You can use our visual calendar to plan your content strategy weeks in advance and publish everywhere with a single click, which lets you maintain an active, professional presence everywhere without the headache. It frees you up to handle the big-picture work, like securing the public-relations wins that will make your next verification request a success.