How to Get Verified on Instagram

The blue checkmark confirms your account represents a notable public figure, brand, or organisation. It signals trust and helps you stand out in search, comments, and DMs. Verification can be requested for free or accessed through Meta Verified, a paid subscription currently available in select countries.

To qualify, your account must be:

• Authentic – Represent a real person or business
• Unique – Only one account per identity (exceptions apply)
• Complete – Public, with a profile photo, bio, and at least one post
• Notable – Frequently searched for or featured in credible media

To request verification:

1. Open the Instagram app
2. Go to your profile and tap the menu icon (☰)
3. At the top of the screen, use the search bar to type “request verification”
4. Tap Request verification when it appears
5. Fill out the form

Instagram will review your application and respond within a few days to a few weeks.

• Use consistent branding across platforms
• Get featured in reputable publications
• Post high-quality, regular content
• Build an engaged audience
• Avoid past or ongoing policy violations

Meta Verified is a paid subscription that includes:

• A verified badge
• Added protection against impersonation
• Access to live customer support

You don’t need to be well-known or famous to qualify, you’re essentially paying to get the blue tick. However, ID verification is still required.

Getting verified on Instagram isn’t just about status, it builds immediate trust.

When your profile shows the blue checkmark, also known as the instagram verification badge or verified badges, people know you’re the real deal. That matters a lot in giveaway campaigns, where users are often asked to take actions like tagging friends, following your account, or clicking through to external links.

A verified account helps distinguish you from fake accounts and fan accounts, making it clear that your profile is authentic.

A verified badge makes also your content feel more credible, reduces hesitation, and helps your campaign stand out in search, comments, and Stories. Plus, it protects your brand from impersonators, something you don’t want happening during a high-engagement campaign.

If you regularly collaborate with influencers or other brands, verification can help secure awesome partnerships by signalling professionalism. It’s not essential, but it’s a real asset when trying to build momentum and legitimacy around a giveaway.

However, don’t need to be verified to run a great campaign. In fact, running a giveaway campaign can help you get there. With Gleam, you can launch polished, professional giveaways that grow your following, boost engagement, and increase visibility, all factors that support your chances of getting verified.

Running campaigns can also help increase your follower count and build your Instagram presence, both of which are important for establishing credibility and notability.

Use Gleam’s Instagram Giveaway Template to run a branded, high-trust contest with verified actions and referral incentives.

You’ll not only attract more participants, but also show Instagram’s review team that your account has traction and a clearly engaged audience.

Encouraging participants to engage with your Instagram posts can further support your verification efforts by demonstrating authentic interaction and community involvement.

Campaigns like this won’t guarantee the blue tick, but they’ll move you a step closer, while delivering meaningful marketing value in the process.

Getting verified on Instagram takes time, effort, and a clear understanding of the verification process, but the rewards are well worth it. Whether you're subscribing to Meta Verified or choosing to tap request verification from your Instagram account or Facebook page, it all starts with building a trusted presence.

To qualify, verification applicants must meet the eligibility requirements, be at least 18 years old, submit a government-issued ID, and follow all community guidelines. Your account should also have a solid prior posting history and represent a well known, highly searched for person or brand.

While the free Instagram verification badge is available through application, many choose to pay for Meta Verified. A Meta Verified subscription that includes a verified badge, live support, and extra protection, all part of what Meta Verified offers. Whether you pursue verification through Instagram or Facebook, building credibility on a social media platform takes consistency, and smart tools like Gleam can help accelerate that growth.