How to Verify an Instagram Account

That little blue checkmark next to an Instagram handle is one of social media’s most recognized symbols. Getting verified is a goal for countless creators, brands, and public figures, but the path to earning it is often misunderstood. This guide cuts through the noise and walks you through not only the exact steps for requesting verification but, more importantly, the foundational work you need to do beforehand to give your account the best possible chance of success.

What That Blue Check Really Means (and What It Doesn’t)

Before you even think about applying, it's important to understand what the verification badge is for. For a long time, it was seen purely as a status symbol - a sign that you'd "made it." And while it certainly carries weight, its primary purpose, according to Instagram, is much more practical.

It's About Authenticity, Not Popularity

At its core, Instagram verification is a tool to confirm authenticity. It tells the community that a specific account genuinely belongs to the well-known public figure, celebrity, or global brand it represents. It’s designed to prevent impersonation and help users easily find the right accounts to follow.

Because this is the goal, several common myths about verification are simply not true:

• Myth #1: You need a huge follower count. While many verified accounts have tons of followers, there is no minimum follower requirement. Verification is based on notability and the risk of impersonation, not a popularity contest. There are verified journalists, academics, and artists with a few thousand followers because they are notable in their field.
• Myth #2: It gives you special treatment from the algorithm. Instagram has repeatedly confirmed that verified accounts do not get a boost in the feed or preferred treatment. Your content's performance is still based on engagement and quality, not the blue badge.
• Myth #3: It's impossible to get. It's difficult, but not impossible. The key is understanding that Instagram verifies people and brands that are already notable outside of Instagram. Your work starts long before you tap the "Request Verification" button.
• Myth #4: You can buy verification. Never, ever pay a third party who claims they can get you verified. These are scams, period. The only way to get a badge is to apply directly through the Instagram app. Paying for a blue check is a violation of the Terms of Service and can get your account banned.

Are You Eligible? The Official Instagram Checklist

Instagram is pretty direct about its criteria for who qualifies for verification. To be approved, your account needs to meet four main standards. Think of it as a checklist to see if you’re even in the running.

• Authentic: Your account must represent a real person, a registered business, or a legally recognized entity. You'll need to prove this with official identification like a driver’s license, passport, or business documents such as articles of incorporation or tax filings.
• Unique: This must be the primary, authoritative presence of the person or business on Instagram. Generally, only one account per person or brand can be verified. The exceptions are for language-specific or region-specific accounts (for example, a global brand having a separate @Brand_USA and @Brand_Canada).
• Complete: Your profile must be public and contain a bio, a profile picture, and at least one post. Instagram won't verify private accounts or profiles that look inactive or unfinished. This is the easiest box to check.
• Notable: This is the hardest and most subjective requirement. It’s where most applications fail. According to Instagram, a notable account "must represent a well-known, highly searched for person, brand or entity." They review accounts that are featured in multiple reputable, independent news sources. Critically, promotional or paid media content does not count.

That last point is the big one. Being "notable" means other people are talking about you. The verification team at Meta needs to be able to Google your name and find articles about you in established publications without you having paid for them. Think mentions in Forbes, The New York Times, a feature on a major industry blog, or a TV news segment - not a press release you wrote yourself.

Foundational Work: Building a Verifiable Brand Before You Apply

The application itself takes five minutes. The real work is in positioning yourself as someone 'notable' enough to deserve a badge. This is a long-term branding effort, not a quick hack.

1. Nail Your Profile and Brand Presentation

Your Instagram profile should scream professionalism and authenticity. Make sure it's fully optimized before you even think about applying. A half-baked profile sends a signal that you're not serious.

• Have a Clear, Professional Bio: Clearly state who you are and what you do. If you’re a journalist, say so. If you’re the founder of a company, put it there. This isn’t the place for vague quotes.
• Use a High-Quality Profile Photo: Use a clear headshot or a clean brand logo. It should look trustworthy and professional.
• The Link in Bio is Valuable Real Estate: Your link in bio should point to your official website, a portfolio of your work, or - even better - a link hub (like Linktree) that includes your recent press features or articles about you. Make it easy for the reviewer to see your notability.

2. Don't Just Be Famous on Instagram

This is the most important part of the entire process. Verification is for people who are already established public figures outside of Instagram. Your job is to build a discoverable public profile that anyone, including an Instagram reviewer, can see.

• Generate Legitimate Press: A media presence is non-negotiable. If you're difficult to find on Google News, your chances of getting verified are slim. Start a public relations campaign, even a small one. Pitch journalists with story ideas, contribute to articles on platforms like HARO (Help a Reporter Out), offer expert commentary in your field, and secure features in reputable online publications. Remember, paid articles and press releases don't count.
• Optimize for Search Engines: What shows up when someone - or a Meta employee - googles your name? A strong search presence is powerful social proof. Work on your website's SEO, create a detailed LinkedIn profile, and aim to get a Google Knowledge Panel. This panel is the info box that appears on the right side of search results and helps establish you as a known entity.
• Secure Your Name Everywhere: Claim your username on other major social media platforms like X (Twitter), TikTok, Facebook, and Threads, even if you don't use them actively. This demonstrates you are a legitimate brand taking steps to protect your identity online. This helps show that you’re at risk of being impersonated on Instagram.

3. Use Instagram Authentically and Consistently

Build your account the right way. Growing an engaging community shows that you represent something of public interest.

• Post high-quality content regularly. Don't leave your account dormant for weeks.
• Engage with your audience in comments and DMs. Show that there's a real, active person or team behind the brand.
• Follow all Community Guidelines and Terms of Service. Having your account restricted or receiving violations can severely damage your chances of being approved.
• Stay away from fake followers. Never buy followers or engagement. Instagram’s systems can easily detect this, and it instantly destroys the "Authentic" criteria of your application.

How to Apply for Verification: The Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Once you’ve done the foundational work and believe you meet the "notable" criteria, the application process itself is straightforward.

1. From your Instagram profile, tap the Menu icon (the three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner.
2. Tap on Settings and privacy.
3. If you have a professional account, scroll down and select either Business tools and controls or Creator tools and controls.
4. Near the bottom of the menu, you will find and tap on Request Verification.
5. You’ll be taken to a form. First, you'll need to confirm your authenticity by entering your full legal name and uploading a photo of an official government ID (like a driver’s license or passport) for an individual, or a business utility bill, articles of incorporation, or tax filings for a company.
6. Next, you confirm your notability. Choose the Category that best fits your account (e.g., Sports, Music, Blogger/Influencer, Business/Brand/Organization). You will also specify the Country/region where you are most notable.
7. Finally, and most importantly, is the Links section. This is your chance to provide proof of notability. You can submit up to five links to news articles or social media accounts that show you are in the public interest. Do not link to your own website or paid content. Choose your absolute best press features from neutral, respectable sources.
8. Once everything is filled out, tap Submit.

You’ve Applied. Now What?

After you submit, you just have to wait. Instagram says it can take up to 30 days to review your application, though sometimes it's faster. You will receive a notification in your Activity feed telling you whether you've been approved or denied.

What to Do If Your Application Is Denied

If you're denied, don't worry. It's very common, and it’s not the end of the road. Your notification will simply state that your account does not meet the criteria, with no detailed feedback. You are free to apply again in 30 days.

Instead of immediately reapplying, use that time wisely. Go back to the "Foundational Work" section. A denial almost always means you failed to prove notability. Pitch more journalists, seek out guest post opportunities on major blogs, and work on strengthening your presence off-platform. Find bigger, better publications to feature you. When you have new, stronger press links to share, that’s the time to re-apply.

Final Thoughts

Earning that verification badge on Instagram is less about finding a secret hack and more about playing the long game. The focus should be on building a real brand or public profile that has a demonstrable impact in the world, not just online. The blue check isn't the goal, it's the result of doing everything else right.

Building a verifiable brand requires consistency, strategic planning, and, most of all, great content. Here at Postbase, we built our tool to help simplify that process. Our visual calendar lets you plan a content strategy that shows off your brand's authority, while our reliable scheduling for Reels, videos, and photos across all your platforms frees you up to work on the big-picture stuff - like landing the press features that get you noticed.