Related search
Wedding Ring
Bag
Cars
Pendant
Get more Insight with Accio
How to Get Verified on Instagram in 2026: A Complete Guide for Businesses
How to Get Verified on Instagram in 2026: A Complete Guide for Businesses
6min read·Leon Rupia·Feb 25, 2026
Instagram has roughly 3 billion monthly active users. With billions of accounts on Instagram, standing out on the platform can be tough. So how can you cut through all the noise? Well, getting your account verified is one way to stand out from the crowd and build your brand’s credibility.
Table of Contents
- What is Instagram verification?
- Who is eligible for Instagram verification?
- How to get verified on Instagram as a notable figure
- How to get verified on Instagram with Meta Verified
- Tips to increase your chances of getting verified
- Benefits of getting verified on Instagram
- Conclusion
Want to explore more about How to Get Verified on Instagram in 2026: A Complete Guide for Businesses? Try the ask below
How to Get Verified on Instagram in 2026: A Complete Guide for Businesses
What is Instagram verification?
Instagram verification is the process of obtaining a blue checkmark badge next to your Instagram handle. The verified badge proves that an account is authentic and belongs to the person or entity it claims to represent.
Verified Instagram accounts have a blue checkmark next to their usernames.
In the past, the verified badge was exclusively available to notable individuals and entities, such as celebrities, influencers, and well-known companies or institutions. But not anymore. Nowadays, Meta (Instagram’s parent company) allows anyone to get verified by paying for Meta Verified.
Who is eligible for Instagram verification?
While anyone can apply for Instagram verification, the requirements may vary depending on whether you request verification through the traditional route or Meta Verified.
Traditional verification criteria
If you’re a notable figure or brand, you can go through the traditional verification process to get verified. To apply for the verified badge this way, your account must be:
- Authentic: It must represent a real person, registered company, or entity.
- Unique: With the exception of language-specific accounts, Instagram limits verification to a single account or business. Instagram also doesn’t verify general interest accounts, such as parody accounts or fan pages.
- Complete: Your Instagram profile must be public and active when you apply. This means it must have a profile picture, an Instagram bio, and show regular activity.
- Notable: Your account must represent a prominent, highly-searched-for person, business, or entity. To meet this requirement, your account must also have been featured in multiple authoritative news sources, excluding paid or sponsored media content.
Meta verification criteria
The notability requirement is often the toughest one to meet when applying for verification through the traditional route. Don’t think your account meets this requirement? Don’t fret. You can also become verified through Meta Verified — a paid monthly subscription service for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
How to get verified on Instagram as a notable figure
If you’re a notable brand or figure, you can apply for verification via the traditional route. Follow these simple steps to request verification.
Step 1: Log in to your Instagram account
Open the Instagram app and ensure you’re signed into the account you want to verify. Then tap your profile picture in the bottom-right corner of your screen to open your Instagram profile.
Step 2: Tap the menu icon
Once on your profile, tap the hamburger menu icon in the top right. This will take you to your Instagram Settings and activity page.
Step 3: Find the verification request page
Scroll down the Settings and activity page to the For professionals section. Then, tap Account type and tools. Once here, navigate to More options at the bottom of the page and tap Request verification.
Step 4: Fill out the verification form
Next, you’ll need to complete the verification form to apply for the blue checkmark. Here’s what you’ll need to provide:
- Your full name or business name.
- 1-2 identification documents for yourself, business, or entity, such as a government-issued ID, driver’s license, passport, tax filings, business registration certificate, or a recent utility bill.
- The country and category of your notability. You can also provide your target audience and any other names under which you, your business, or your entity is known.
- Links to other social media accounts and articles that demonstrate your notability.
Even though some fields are labeled ‘optional,’ we suggest filling out all of them to boost your chances of becoming verified.
Step 5: Submit the verification request
Once you’ve filled out all required fields, tap the Submit button at the bottom of the screen. It’s that simple! After submitting your verification request, Instagram may take up to 30 days to review it. If approved, you’ll receive a notification and verified badge next to your Instagram handle.
How to get verified on Instagram with Meta Verified
If you aren’t eligible for verification via the traditional route, you can subscribe to Meta Verified to receive the blue checkmark. If you select this option, you’ll need to pay a recurring monthly subscription fee to verify your account. Follow these steps to subscribe to Meta Verified.
Step 1: Follow steps 1-3 of the previous section
You’ll need to follow the same three steps as before to request verification.
Step 2: Tap Meta Verified
When you navigate to the For professionals section, don’t select Account type and tools. Instead, tap Meta Verified to apply for verification.
Step 3: Subscribe to Meta Verified
Once you tap Meta Verified, you’ll open a page with various Meta Verified plans, their features, and their pricing in your region. Select a suitable plan and tap Unlock benefits at the bottomto move on to the next page. Then, follow the prompts to complete the sign-up process.
Once you complete the application process, Instagram may take up to 72 hours to review your application. If approved, you’ll receive the verified badge and perks depending on your subscription plan.
Tips to increase your chances of getting verified
Whether you’re applying for verification in the traditional way or by paying for Meta Verified, use these tips to boost your chances of getting verified on Instagram:
- Post regularly: You must meet Instagram’s minimum activity requirements to become verified. Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t disclose how often you should post content on the platform to qualify for verification. To meet this vague requirement, aim to post content at least once a day.
- Optimize your profile: Create a complete profile with your full name or business name, a high-quality profile picture or logo, a compelling bio, and curated Story Highlights to help Instagram’s verification team understand your brand’s purpose.
- Follow Meta’s Community Standards: Adhere to Meta’s community guidelines, as violating any of them could result in the rejection of your verification application.
- Engage users and grow your following: Although there’s no minimum follower count required for verification, having many highly engaged followers can boost your verification chances — especially if you’re applying for traditional verification.
- Verify other social media accounts: Having verified accounts on other social media platforms can increase your chances of getting verified. For instance, verifying your X (formerly Twitter) account can signal to Instagram’s verification team that you are who you say you are. Just ensure your name, profile picture, and bio are consistent across all your social media accounts.
Benefits of getting verified on Instagram
Having the coveted blue checkmark is more than just a status symbol on Instagram. Here’s why it matters for businesses and brands:
- People are more likely to perceive your brand as authentic and trustworthy if your account is verified.
- Verification can make your account more secure, as only one account per person or brand can receive the verified badge.
- While verification doesn’t guarantee better engagement, it can lead to more likes, shares, and comments on your posts when you post compelling content.
With a Meta Verified subscription, you’ll unlock the following extra benefits depending on your plan:
- Enhanced visibility in search results
- Unique stickers to use in your content
- Priority support via chat, email, or phone
- Better protection against impersonators through proactive account monitoring
Conclusion
Gone are the days when only well-known individuals, brands, or companies could get verified on Instagram. If you run a small business with a modest number of followers, you can now become verified by subscribing to Meta Verified.
But verification is just one part of creating a strong social media marketing strategy. As a business owner, you’ll also need to monitor market trends to understand what appeals to Instagram users. That’s where Accio can prove helpful. It’s an AI-powered platform that can spot trends in real time and take the guesswork out of creating an effective content strategy.