How to get verified on Instagram

Instagram says the badge means it has confirmed the account is the authentic presence of the person or brand it represents. It isn't a sign of importance, authority or endorsement. Some verified accounts earned the badge for being notable; others subscribe to Meta Verified. Badges given under Instagram's older rules still show.

Our advice for a small business: the free route needs real press coverage, so most local businesses will only get the badge through Meta Verified. Decide whether the support and impersonation protection are worth a monthly fee to you, not just the tick.

Sources: Instagram Help Centre: Verified badges on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: Requirements to apply for a verified badge on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026

Meta Verified for businesses is a monthly or annual subscription on Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp. Meta lists four business plans (Standard, Plus, Premium and Max). All of them include the verified badge, impersonation protection and enhanced support; the higher plans add things like a featured profile and links in reels. Plans and availability vary by region and account, and the help pages we checked don't list prices.

• You need full control of an existing business portfolio in Meta Business Suite that contains the account you want to verify
• Advanced Protection must be turned on for that business portfolio
• You can verify up to two assets from the same portfolio, such as one Instagram account and one Facebook Page. In the Facebook app or Meta Business Suite on desktop, you can verify up to three
• Verifying more than one asset gets a bundle discount, and the assets may need similar names
• Finish the verification within three days, or the subscription is cancelled and you're eligible for a refund
• While your application is pending, you may not be able to change the profile name, username or location

Sources: Meta Business Help Centre: What is Meta Verified for businesses?, checked 15 October 2026; Meta Business Help Centre: Meta Verified benefits for businesses, checked 15 October 2026; Meta Business Help Centre: Sign your business up for Meta Verified, checked 15 October 2026

Meta's steps for the iPhone app:

1. Log in to the professional account you want to verify.
2. Tap your profile picture in the bottom right.
3. Tap the menu in the top right, then tap Meta Verified.
4. Tap Sign up now, then Next.
5. Select the business assets you want to verify, then tap Next.
6. Tap Pay and confirm the payment through the Apple App Store.
7. Tick OK, I understand and enrol in Advanced Protection. You'll need two-factor authentication and a stronger password if you don't have them yet.
8. Choose your business's country, then a verification method: business details, a valid photo ID or a business bank account.
9. Confirm your connection to the business by email, text message, phone call or identity verification.

• Meta says it reviews the application and updates you within three working days
• Only subscribers who have finished verification can use Meta Verified support

Source: Meta Business Help Centre: Sign your business up for Meta Verified, checked 15 October 2026

If you don't subscribe, Instagram reviews notable public figures, celebrities and brands. Your account must follow Instagram's Terms of Use and Community Standards and be:

1. Log in to the account you want verified and go to your profile.
2. Tap Menu in the top right.
3. Below Your insights and tools, tap Professional dashboard, then Settings in the top right.
4. Tap Request verification.
5. Enter your full name and the required identification, such as a government-issued photo ID or official business documents.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions and tap Submit.

• Authentic: a real person, registered business or entity
• Unique: one account per person or business, apart from language-specific accounts. General interest accounts aren't verified
• Complete: public, with a bio and profile photo, and active when you apply
• Notable: well known and highly searched for, featured in multiple news sources. Paid or sponsored coverage doesn't count

Sources: Instagram Help Centre: Requirements to apply for a verified badge on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: Request a verified badge for your Instagram profile, checked 15 October 2026

Set your username before you apply, since you can't change it once you have the badge.

• For a free request, you'll get a notification in Activity up to 30 days after applying
• If you're turned down, you can apply again after 30 days. Applying again before a decision cancels your application
• Once verified, you can't change your username, and the badge can't move to another account
• Verifying on Instagram doesn't verify your Facebook account
• Instagram can remove the badge, or disable the account, if you sell or advertise the badge, use a third party to get verified, switch between public and private too many times, or gave false information

Sources: Instagram Help Centre: What happens when you apply for a verified badge on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: Request a verified badge for your Instagram profile, checked 15 October 2026

• You're on a computer. Instagram says requesting the badge isn't available on computers; use the iPhone or Android app
• Your account is private, or has no bio or profile photo. Complete and publish the profile first
• Your coverage is paid or sponsored. Instagram doesn't count it towards notability
• You applied twice. A second request before a decision cancels the first
• Meta Verified sign-up fails. Check you have full control of the business portfolio and that Advanced Protection is on
• For creators, Meta also limits how many profile changes (name, picture, username, location or type) you make before applying, so hold off on edits

Sources: Instagram Help Centre: Request a verified badge for your Instagram profile, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: Requirements to apply for a verified badge on Instagram, checked 15 October 2026; Meta Business Help Centre: Sign your business up for Meta Verified, checked 15 October 2026; Instagram Help Centre: Eligibility requirements for Meta Verified creator subscriptions, checked 15 October 2026

Disclosure: this is our product. Zolyp plans, writes and designs your Instagram posts and publishes them once you approve. It can't get you verified; that's Meta's process. There's a 3-day free trial, no card required.