How To Get Verified on Instagram in 2027

How to get verified on Instagram has changed in recent years. The platform’s blue verification badge was previously available only to notable individuals and companies. Now, any account can get verified by paying a monthly subscription fee.

Although Instagram verification is now pay-to-play for everyday people and smaller brands, the check mark still holds weight. “It’s really important now to be verified, because it signals that this is the real and true account,” says Ben Fingeret, vice president of social at communications agency Full Picture. “It’s credibility.”

This guide walks you through the ins and outs of Instagram verification in 2027, including how and why to get verified, what to do if you get rejected, and more tips from Ben.

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 with a check mark that appears next to their profile name.

Instagram has evolved the process for how to get a verification badge. The symbol used to indicate that an account was owned by a “notable” person or company, which limited the program to well-known public figures and brands. Now, a verification badge just means your 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 to receive the blue check mark.

Is Instagram verification worth it?

Instagram verification can be worth it for both content creators and brands. According to Ben of Full Picture, the blue verification badge can give you credibility.

“I think that it is still important today, because we are even more so living in the age of misinformation,” Ben says. He cites the AI accounts and AI-generated videos that falsely show influencers endorsing products as a reason for creators to get verified. 

For brands, verification shows your business is legitimate. 

“Meta Verified is good for brands that want to signal that they take themselves seriously,” says Ben. 

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’re a well-known public figure or brand with substantial media coverage, verification is still free. 

Meta says they consider accounts featured in “multiple news sources” for legacy verification. They exclude 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 starts at $14.99 per month. More expensive paid tiers come with additional features, like the ability to add links to Reels (starting at $49.99 per month) or receive personalized content strategy advice ($499.99 per month).

Instagram users can’t tell whether you earned your badge through the traditional route or if you’re paying for it. This is the case 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 legacy [verification], it might be good to do Meta Verified as a stopgap” says Ben. 

You can then apply for legacy verification down the line when your brand has gotten more press.

How to get verified on Instagram: Legacy verification

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 to get verified with Instagram’s legacy verification program: 

1. Ensure you meet eligibility criteria

To qualify for legacy verification, you need to meet these requirements: 

• A person, registered business, or entity. 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. 

• 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—posting regular content—when you apply. 

2. Fill out the application

Once you’ve confirmed you meet Instagram’s eligibility requirements, you can apply for verification by following these steps:

• Open the mobile app and log into your account.

• Navigate to your profile by tapping your profile picture or icon.

• Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top right.

• Under Your insights and tools, tap Professional dashboard > Settings > Request verification.

• Follow the on-screen instructions to apply.

3. Submit your application

Once you’ve filled in the verification application details, tap 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 on Instagram: Meta Verified

1. Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements
2. Go to Meta Verified on your mobile app
3. Choose a profile to verify
4. Pay your first Meta Verified subscription fee
5. Turn on two-factor authentication
6. Confirm or edit your profile information
7. Prove your identity

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 name

• Not have too many edits to your profile picture or other info 

• Meet the Meta Verified Terms of Service

If you’re a business subscribing to Meta Verified, you can verify two business assets (for example, your Instagram and Facebook profiles or your Instagram and WhatsApp profiles). You’ll need to have the Advanced Protection security feature turned on.

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. If you’re verifying just one account, 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.

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 to log in.

6. Confirm or edit your profile information

Confirm or edit your profile name and picture. After you’re verified, you might need to complete the verification process again if you update your profile name or picture.

7. Prove your identity

Select the type of government-issued 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.

Businesses can choose from several verification methods. You’ll also need to prove your connection to the business when you apply.

Verification takes about 48 hours for individuals and three business days for businesses. Instagram will send you an update about your business’s verification status within that time frame.

3 tips for getting verified on Instagram

1. Look out for Instagram verification badge scams
2. Get help with your brand’s publicityEntry 2
3. Follow Meta’s Community Standards

Following these tips for how to get verified on Instagram:

1. 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,” Ben says. “Verification is always something that you have to initiate.”

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

2. Get help with your brand’s 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.” 

One way to earn press coverage is by teaming up with a public relations (PR) agency, or pitching media outlets who can help get your name out there. 

Consider publishing a press release announcing news about your brand, and sending them to key media outlets covering your industry. Ben says your press clips need to come from “top tier” venues, so it’s important to pitch journalists and other press contacts at established media companies.

To get publicity, you’ll need to be proactive in creating newsworthy activity for your brand. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Host a fundraiser for an important cause.

• Conduct research and publish the findings in a white paper.

• Make a guest appearances on a podcast or TV show.

Aim for brand mentions that make an impact: “You need solid press that’s focused on you, versus press that you’re featured in, like a roundup,” says Ben.

3. Follow Meta’s Community Standards

If you want to get verified on Instagram, you need to follow Meta’s Community Standards. 

If you’re not following these guidelines, Meta will let you know. 

“That’s actually where Meta is probably the most crystal clear with people,” Ben 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 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

If you meet all of the Meta Verified criteria but your verification request is rejected, there are a few items to troubleshoot. Here are some reasons why Instagram might have rejected your request 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 Meta Verified requirement for how to get verified on Instagram.

There was a problem with your ID photo

Meta asks users to take ID photos that are:

• Well-lit, head-on, and taken without a flash

• Against a contrasting background

• On a flat surface without other objects

• 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 3 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. The name on your government-issued ID must match that of the person connected to the business.

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.