How to Get Verified on Instagram: The Two Official Routes

Last reviewed: 6 October 2026

Read this first: nobody can sell you a blue badge

Independent guide. We can’t get anyone verified. Viral In City is an independent social media agency, not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Instagram or Meta. Only Instagram decides who gets a verified badge. We don’t sell verification, we don’t have a “contact at Meta”, and anyone who promises a badge for a fee is not telling the truth.

Instagram is clear on this. Its Help Center page on what happens when you apply for a verified badge says Instagram may remove a badge or disable an account that attempts to verify through a third party, or that advertises, transfers or sells a verified badge. Instagram has also said it never requests payment for the notable verified badge (Instagram announcement).

What follows is how verification really works today, taken from Instagram’s and Meta’s own Help Center pages, so you can decide which route fits you. We checked every page on 6 October 2026; Meta updates them often, so confirm details at the links before you apply or subscribe.

Route 1: Meta Verified for creators

Meta’s Help Center describes Meta Verified for creators as a paid subscription that can include a verified badge, impersonation protection, enhanced support and other features. Meta lists several plan levels, and the benefits vary by region.

Key points from that page and Meta’s eligibility requirements:

• Eligible profiles: Instagram personal or creator accounts and Facebook personal or creator profiles. Instagram business accounts use the separate Meta Verified for businesses.
• Age and location: you must meet the minimum age requirement (18, or the age of majority where you live) and be in a country where Meta Verified is available.
• Identity: you need a government-issued photo ID. Instagram lists accepted documents on its ID requirements page.
• Activity: your account must meet minimum activity requirements and follow Meta’s terms and Community Standards.
• Security: Meta says Advanced Protection is required while you subscribe and can’t be turned off while the subscription is active. Learn about it on Instagram’s Advanced Protection page.
• Review and billing: Meta says review can take up to 3 business days. The subscription renews automatically until you cancel.

To start, follow the subscribe steps on Meta’s Meta Verified page. The price and benefits for your country are shown before you confirm. Finalise your profile name and photo first, so they match your ID.

Route 2: Request verification based on notability

If you are a public figure, celebrity or brand, you can request the badge without subscribing. Instagram’s requirements page says your account must be:

• Authentic: it represents a real person, registered business or entity.
• Unique: it is the only presence of that person or business. Only one account per person or business can be verified, with exceptions for language-specific accounts. General-interest accounts, such as meme pages, aren’t verified.
• Complete: public, with a bio, a profile photo and recent activity.
• Notable: it represents a well-known, highly searched person, brand or entity, featured in multiple news sources. Instagram says it doesn’t consider paid or promotional content as a news source.

How to request (Instagram app only). Instagram’s help page describes it for professional accounts as: go to your profile, tap Menu, select Professional dashboard, then Settings, scroll down and tap Request verification, complete the form and submit. Depending on your account type and app version the option may sit under Account type and tools or a similar menu.

Instagram says submitting a request doesn’t guarantee verification.

How to build a stronger notability case

If you were turned down, the most common gap is notability. These are legitimate ways to strengthen it over time:

• Earn independent press. Interviews, reviews and news coverage in established publications. Paid articles and sponsored posts don’t count, per Instagram.
• Be consistent everywhere. Use the same name, photo and handle across your website and other social profiles, and link to your Instagram from your official website, as Instagram suggests.
• Complete your profile. Clear bio, real photo or logo, public account, regular posts.
• Grow real demand. Notability shows up when people search for you. Focus on content and work that gets you talked about; see our guide on getting more Instagram followers organically.

Our free Instagram bio generator helps you write a clear, complete bio. Keep styled text from our fonts generator out of your name field if you plan to apply, because your profile name should match your ID or business name.

Which route should you choose?

A quick way to decide:

• You are a creator or professional who wants the badge and account protection now: Meta Verified for creators, if you meet the eligibility rules and the price in your country makes sense.
• You run a business account: Meta Verified for businesses, or keep improving your profile and reputation.
• You are a widely covered public figure, celebrity or well-known brand: request verification for free based on notability.
• You are neither yet: focus on reputation, press and a complete profile, and revisit later. A badge alone won’t bring followers or customers.

The two routes aren’t mutually exclusive. Instagram says that if you already have a verified badge based on earlier requirements, you can still subscribe to Meta Verified for its other features.

What we can do instead

We can’t verify accounts, but we can help with what Instagram looks at: a complete, consistent profile, regular original content and a growing, real audience. Start with a free social media audit or ask for a custom quote. If you prefer chat, message us on WhatsApp at +91 8827409728. See our Instagram management service.