Getting verified on Instagram is one of the most effective ways to build credibility, protect your account from impersonation, and increase trust with your audience. In 2026, Instagram verification is more accessible than ever — but it also comes with clearer rules, new options, and common pitfalls you should avoid.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to get verified on Instagram, the difference between free verification and Meta Verified, eligibility requirements, and practical tips to improve your chances of approval.
What Is Instagram Verification?
The Instagram verification badge was created with the purpose to authenticate accounts of public people, such as celebrities, politicians, and digital creators, and also brand profiles. Probably, you have already seen the blue circle with a checkmark on the right side of a profile name, this means Instagram verified the account.
For instance, if you want to follow Viola Davis's Instagram profile, how can you know it's actually her or an impostor? The verification badge solves this problem. It helps not only famous people but also companies not to have unauthorized profiles passing by them, and deceiving customers.
How to get verified on Instagram - Viola Davis profile
Source: Viola Davis Instagram profile
The verification badge has become coveted by many since it conveys authority, credibility, and status. Many users see it as a symbol that the profile is relevant, and may give more attention to it, which can help with engagement rates, and conquering more followers.
It's important to observe, though, that, according to Instagram, verified accounts don't have special treatment when it comes to delivering their content.
Benefits of Instagram verification include:
- Increased credibility and trust
- Protection against impersonation
- Higher perceived authority for brands and creators
What verification does not do:
- It does not guarantee higher reach or engagement
- It does not unlock algorithm boosts
- It does not replace good content or growth strategies
Who Is Eligible for Instagram Verification in 2026?
According to Instagram guidelines, currently there are two paths to verification, each with different eligibility requirements.
General Instagram Verification Requirements
Regardless of the method, your account must be:
- Authentic: Representing a real person or registered business
- Unique: Only one account per person or brand (with exceptions for language-based accounts)
- Complete: Profile photo, bio, and at least one post
Free Instagram Verification Requirements
Instagram verifies for free accounts that belongs to public figures, celebrities, and known brands due to their notability.
The platform defines notability as:
- Being widely recognized
- Frequently searched
- Featured in multiple reputable news sources
Meta Verified Requirements
Meta Verified is an alternative for people and brands that don't meet the notability requirements. In this case, you will have to pay a monthly fee to get the verification badge. This option also offers other benefits such as account support, and search optimization.
To get verified with Meta Verified, your account must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a public or private Instagram profile with a profile photo and bio
- Match the name and photo on a government-issued ID
- Enable two-factor authentication
- Follow Instagram’s terms of service and community guidelines
- Do not exceed the number of times you can make changes to your account within a certain time period before applying for verification, such as changes to profile name, location, or account type.
How to Request to Get Verified on Instagram (Step-by-Step)
The most important step on how to get verified on Instagram, once you meet the criteria, is making your request for the badge. To do that, follow these steps:
1 - Enter your Instagram account, and go to "settings";
How to get verified on instagram - settings
2 - Click on "account";
How to get verified on Instagram - account
3 - Select "request verification";
How to get verified on Instagram - request verification
4 - Complete the information required, and follow the instructions;
How to get verified on Instagram - verification form
5 - Instagram will evaluate your request and send you an answer in up to 30 days.
Don't make more than one application before you receive an answer from Instagram, this will cancel your request. If you get denied the verification badge, though, you can try again after.
How Long Does Instagram Verification Take?
After submitting your request:
- Review times range from a few days to several weeks
- You won’t receive detailed feedback if rejected
- If denied, you can reapply after 30 days
Why Instagram Verification Requests Get Rejected
Instagram rejects many requests — even legitimate ones.
Common reasons include:
- Insufficient notability or media coverage
- Linking to low-quality or promotional sources
- Inconsistent profile information
- Incomplete or inactive accounts
Before reapplying, review Instagram’s guidelines carefully and strengthen your online presence.
How to Get Verified on Instagram with Meta Verified
1 - Enter your Instagram account
2 - Go to Settings
3- Select Meta Verified
How to get verified on Instagram - Meta Verified
4- Choose the Meta Verified plan that suits you best
5- Confirm your profile details and submit a valid government ID
6- Complete payment and wait for approval
7- Once approved, your account receives the blue checkmark, along with added benefits such as impersonation protection, proactive account monitoring, and access to enhanced support.
Meta Verified is especially useful for creators, entrepreneurs, and small businesses that want faster verification and increased trust — without needing press coverage or public notoriety.
Can Businesses Get Verified on Instagram?
Yes, businesses can get verified — but eligibility depends on scale and visibility.
- Large or well-known brands may qualify for free verification
- Small businesses often benefit more from Meta Verified
- Local businesses typically need strong media exposure
Choosing the right verification path depends on your brand’s public presence.
Tips on How to Get Verified on Instagram for Notability
Some strategies can help you when it comes to how to get verified on Instagram for free. The platform is strict with its criteria and evaluates carefully which accounts will get the verification badge.
Check Out for Fake Accounts
One of the main goals of having a verified account is to prevent impostor accounts from pretending to be someone else or a brand. Search on Instagram if fake accounts are trying to pass as your company or yourself.
If this is happening, monitor the accounts and make a report to send to Instagram. That's a strong reason to show Instagram why it's important for you to have the verification badge. Impostors using your name or your brand is a dangerous thing as they could create scams and deceive people. That's something that Instagram wants to help to avoid as well.
Develop Strategies to Get More Followers
There isn't a specific minimum number of followers that makes you eligible to get verified on Instagram for notability. But, it does matter to have a high quantity of them as this is a sign of your account relevancy. It shows many people are interested in your profile.
Therefore, it's important to create actions that encourage people to follow you on Instagram. For example, by creating engaging posts, inserting your Instagram link on your other social media profiles, and mentioning it in your newsletter and blog articles.
Buying followers may seem tempting since the numbers grow much faster, but it isn't worth it. The numbers won't represent an increase in engagement, and you won't have real results that can help your brand grow, such as conquering more leads, for instance.
Besides, when it comes to how to get verified on Instagram this can be a big problem. Buying followers breaks Instagram guidelines, and the platform watches out for accounts that are doing it. Instead of getting a verification badge, you can lose your account.
Complete Your Profile
To request a verification badge on Instagram your profile must be completed, which means it needs to have a profile picture, a bio, and posts on the feed. But, don't put anything just to have it all fulfilled, write an interesting Instagram bio that summarizes who you or your brand are and show your value. Choose a profile picture that is aligned with your visual identity.
That will help you not only to get the verification badge but also with your target audience. When people access your profile, they will see a well-developed page, and this is much more attractive. It instigates the users to look at your feed, explore the posts, and engage.
Publish High-Quality Content Regularly
When you request to get verified on Instagram as a notable person or brand, they will analyze if you are active on your account, posts regularly, and what your engagement levels are. Make a schedule to publish stories and feed posts on Instagram every day if it's possible.
But, keep in mind that the content needs to be high quality. That isn't only about how to get verified on Instagram but also about the brand image you want to build, and developing a relationship with your customers.
Ask yourself what your content can offer to your target audience. How can you catch their attention and deliver valuable information to them? This will help you to create your posts, and the better they are the higher the chances to increase the engagement rates, the number of followers, and appear on the main results of research related to your content.
Get Publicity
Is your name or brand highly searched on Google, or mentioned on several websites and other publications? That's very important to get the verification badge without having to pay a subscription
Investing in PR will help you to increase visibility. Send press releases when your company has interesting news, if you are participating in an relevant event in your area, or giving a lecture, for example. You need to be known by the public, but the press has to be organic, paid ads don't count.
How to Remain Verified on Instagram
Once you have learned how to get verified on Instagram and conquered the coveted badge, is the work finished? No. You need to be careful not to lose the verification.
- Keep your account public;
- Stay active on the platform;
- Follow the Instagram terms of use and community guidelines.
