How To Get Verified on Instagram in 2026

How to get verified on Instagram has changed in recent years. The platform’s blue verification badge was previously available only to well-known individuals and companies, but now, anyone can get verified by paying a monthly subscription fee.

Although Instagram verification is now pay-to-play for everyday people and smaller brands, you still need to prove you are the authentic owner of your (or your company’s) profile and that your profile represents who it says it does. There are also a handful of reasons why Meta might reject your verification request.

This guide walks you through the ins and outs of Instagram verification in 2026 and whether or not it’s worth it for you. It also covers how to get verified on Instagram (with tips from a social media expert), why you might receive a verification rejection, and what to do if you get rejected.

What does Instagram verification mean?

Instagram verification means Meta has decided an account is the “authentic presence for that person or brand” and “represents who it says it does.” Verified accounts have a verification badge, a blue circle containing a checkmark that appears next to their profile name.

Instagram has evolved the process for attaining a verification badge. When Instagram first launched verification, the symbol indicated that an account was owned by a “notable” person or company, which constrained the program to well-known public figures and brands. Now, a verification badge just means the account is authentic.

In 2023, Instagram launched Meta Verified, a paid subscription service that provides a verification badge alongside features like enhanced support and impersonation protection. Users still need to apply for Meta Verified, but they no longer need to be well-known public figures or brands in order to receive the blue checkmark.

Is Instagram verification worth it?

Instagram verification can be worth it for both content creators and brands. According to Ben Fingeret, vice president of social at communications agency Full Picture, the blue verification badge can provide credibility.

It can also defend you against impersonators and misinformation, which can be especially important for individuals. 

“I think that it is still important today because we are even more so living in the age of misinformation,” says Ben. He says the proliferation of AI accounts and AI-generated videos falsely showing celebrities endorsing products, for example, make it important to get verified. “It signals that this is the real and true account,” Ben says. 

For brands, verification shows you’re a real business. “Meta Verified is good for brands that want to signal that they take themselves seriously,” says Ben. 

For creators who sell on Instagram, credibility is essential, as customers need to trust that your ecommerce operation is legitimate and secure. 

Who can get verified on Instagram?

Anyone over the age of 18 who meets basic requirements like living in an eligible country can apply to get verified on Instagram. If you are a well-known public figure or brand with substantial media coverage, verification is still free. 

Meta has said that it considers accounts featured in “multiple news sources” for legacy verification. It excludes paid or sponsored media from consideration. 

If you aren’t sure if you or your brand will qualify for free legacy verification, you can still apply. “If you have a lot of press, try for the [legacy] verified, because it’s free,” Ben says. “If you don't, or if that fails, you can always go for Meta Verified.”

Meta Verified costs between $14.99 and $499.99 per month. At higher tiers, Meta displays your account as a recommended profile and lets you add links to Reels. You can secure additional features, too, like personalized content strategy advice.

Instagram users can’t tell whether you earned your badge through the traditional route or if you’re paying for it (unless they see you were verified before the paid feature was introduced in 2023).

“If you’re a smaller creator or a smaller brand trying for a legacy, it might be good to do Meta Verified as a stopgap if you still want the impersonation protection and baseline credibility but you don’t have that much press right now,” says Ben. You can then apply for legacy verification down the line.

How to get verified on Instagram

Before you start the process of getting verified on Instagram, make sure you comply with Instagram’s Community Standards and Terms of Use. Then, follow these steps for the relevant type:

How to get verified: Legacy verification

Here’s how to get verified with Instagram’s free verification process: 

1. Make sure you meet eligibility criteria

To qualify for legacy verification, you need to be:

• A person or a brand. Instagram doesn’t verify general interest accounts like meme or fan accounts.
• Notable. Being notable means your account represents a “well-known, highly searched for” person or brand. If you’re applying as an individual, Instagram specifies that you need to be a “public figure” or “celebrity.” 
• Authentic. You must be the person, public figure, or registered business entity you claim to be on the account. You’ll need official business documents and ID to prove this.
• Unique. You can’t have multiple Instagram accounts for the same person or business (unless they are language-specific accounts). 
• Complete. Your Instagram profile needs to be public, have an Instagram bio with a profile picture, and be active when you apply. Instagram doesn’t define “active” in its eligibility criteria, but it generally means you post content regularly.

2. Navigate to the application

Once you’ve confirmed you meet Instagram’s eligibility requirements, head to your profile page and access your settings by tapping on the hamburger icon (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner. Scroll down until you see For professionals > Account type and tools > Request verification.

If you have a creator account, this menu appears as “Creator tools and controls.” If you have a business account, it appears under “Business tools and controls.” 

3. Confirm authenticity 

The first part of the verification application proves you’re an authentic account.

You’ll enter your full name or business name, then prove your identity with one of the following documents:

• Driver’s license
• Passport
• National identification card
• Tax filing
• Recent utility bill
• Articles of incorporation

4. Confirm notability

In the second part of the application, you’ll prove that you’re a notable individual or brand. Here’s what you’ll fill out:

• Category. This dropdown menu includes options like entertainment and sports.
• Country/region. You’ll choose where you’re based from another dropdown.
• Audience. This is optional, but you can add information on who your followers are, why they follow you, and what they’re interested in.
• Also known as. This optional text field lets you note any other names you or your brand are known by.
• Links. In this optional step, you link to social media accounts, news articles, and other proof that you’re a public figure or notable brand. Instagram won’t count paid or promotional content.

5. Submit your application

Once you’ve filled in the verification application details, select Submit.

Within 30 days, Instagram will notify you whether your application was successful or not in your activity feed. Access this through the heart-shaped Notifications icon on the upper right of your feed. If Instagram denies your request, you can apply again in 30 days.

How to get verified: Meta Verified

Here’s how to get verified on Instagram via a Meta Verified paid subscription: 

1. Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements

Although Meta Verified is a more accessible way to earn a blue check mark, your account must still meet a few requirements. These requirements are different for creators and brands.

Meta requires creators to: 

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be in an eligible country
• Have a government issued photo ID
• Not have made too many edits to your profile, like changing your profile name or photo, over a certain time period before applying
• Meet the Meta Verified Terms of Service

If you’re a business subscribing to Meta Verified, the person applying must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be in an eligible country
• Have an Instagram Business Account
• Be in full control of a Meta Business Portfolio with Advanced Protection turned on
• Be active
• Not have a history of too many changes to your account

2. Go to Meta Verified on your mobile app

Open the Instagram mobile app and log in. Tap your profile picture at the bottom right to go to your profile. From there, tap the menu icon (three lines) in the top right, then tap Meta Verified.

3. Choose a profile to verify

Select the account you want to verify. You can verify up to two eligible profiles: one on Instagram and one on Facebook. If you’re verifying one, select “Single profile subscription.”

4. Pay your first Meta Verified subscription fee

Select “Pay now” and confirm your subscription payment through the Apple App Store. You have three days to complete the rest of the application. If you don’t complete it in time, Meta will issue you a refund.

After entering your payment details, tap Continue, then Subscribe. 

5. Turn on two-factor authentication

Meta requires you to turn on two-factor authentication in order to subscribe to Meta Verified. Once you turn it on, you’ll have to enter a code received via SMS each time you log in.

6. Confirm or edit your profile information

Confirm or edit your profile name and picture. Note that you might not be able to edit these while Meta is approving your application.

7. Prove your identity

Select the type of ID you want to submit, then select Next > Take photo. Photograph the front and back of your ID. When you’re done, select Submit and Finish.

If you’re a business, you can choose from a handful of verification methods including your business’s bank account information and proving an established presence across Meta platforms. You’ll also need to prove your connection to the business by receiving a confirmation email, text, or phone call, or by uploading an ID or conducting a domain verification.

If you’re an individual, your profile will be verified within 48 hours. If you’re a business, it will be verified within three business days.

3 tips for getting verified accounts on Instagram

• Look out for Instagram verification badge scams
• Get help with publicity
• Follow Meta’s Community Standards

Following these tips can help you get verified on Instagram:

Look out for Instagram verification badge scams

Be wary of any offers to verify your account. “Instagram will never, ever come out and just offer it to you,” says Ben. “Verification is always something that you have to initiate.”

If you see an account that advertises the ability to get you one either for free or for a “small fee,” like the example below, don’t fall for the scam.

Get help with publicity

If you’re trying for legacy verification, “It all comes down to press and notoriety,” Ben says. “Someone can have all the clout in the real world, but if there’s no press to back that up, that’s a really big signal to Instagram that maybe this isn’t worth it.” 

Team up with a public relations (PR) agency or pitch journalists who can help get your name out there. 

Publish press releases announcing news about you or your brand and send them to journalists. Ben says your press clips need to come from “top tier” outlets, so pitch journalists at established media companies.

To get publicity, you’ll need to do things considered newsworthy. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Host a fundraiser for an important cause.
• Conduct proprietary research and publish the findings in a white paper.
• Make guest appearances on a notable podcast or TV show.

Aim for stories centered on you, not casual mentions: “You need solid press that’s focused on you, versus press that you’re featured in, like a roundup,” says Ben.

Follow Meta’s Community Standards

If you want to get verified on Instagram, you need to follow Meta’s Community Standards. Make sure you review those community guidelines so you can confidently tick this box in the verification process.

If you’re not following them, Meta will let you know. “That’s actually where Meta is probably the most crystal clear with people,” he says. “You will get a notification or you’ll get an email saying, ‘We’ve either gotten reports or our internal flags have been raised about this specific post for this specific reason.’” 

You can then appeal the decision or simply delete the post. “It’s like points on a driving license. If you get too many flags, they will deactivate your account or kick you off the platform for a little bit,” says Ben.

Common reasons for Meta Verified rejection

• You don’t have Advanced Protection turned on
• There was a problem with your ID photo
• Your payment method failed
• You didn’t finish applying within three days
• Your name doesn’t match

If you meet all of the Meta Verified criteria but your verification request is rejected, there are a few items to troubleshoot. Here are reasons why Instagram might have rejected request, according to Meta:

You don’t have Advanced Protection turned on

On Instagram, turning on Advanced Protection means setting up two-factor authentication. This is a requirement for Meta Verified.

There was a problem with your ID photo

Meta asks users to take ID photos that are:

• Well-lit
• Head-on
• Against a contrasting background
• On a flat surface without other objects
• Without flash
• Inclusive of the entire ID, with all four corners showing

Meta also asks users to double check that their ID isn’t expired.

Your payment method failed

You need to add payment details when you sign up for Meta Verified. Make sure you’re using an accepted payment method, you entered your payment details correctly, your payment method hasn’t expired, and you have enough funds in your account to cover the subscription cost.

You didn’t finish applying within three days

Once you start the process of applying for Meta Verified, you have three days to finish it. If you don’t finish it in that period, Meta refunds your subscription cost.

Your name doesn’t match

If you applied for Meta Verified as a creator, your profile name must match the name on your ID. “You can appeal it, but what they’ll tell you is you need to either change your handle or change your name,” says Ben.

If you applied for Meta Verified as a business, Instagram might have rejected your request because of a name mismatch. Your business name must match that on your supporting documents. It must also match your profile name.

What to do if your legacy verification request is rejected

Here’s what to do if Meta rejects your request for free legacy verification.

• Double-check the verification criteria to make sure you’re eligible. 
• Ensure you’ve been active on your account and have a complete profile. 
• Double check that you have the right ID and business documents to prove your account is authentic. 
• Delete any old accounts to ensure your account is unique.

You can apply again after 30 days. Don’t reapply more than once before you hear back: Applying for a verified badge multiple times before you’ve heard back from Meta will automatically get your application rejected.

Give yourself that month to figure out ways to improve your chances of securing that blue checkmark. Use the tips above to develop your Instagram and press presence.