That little blue checkmark next to someone’s name on Instagram has meant different things at different times. For years it was a symbol of celebrity, reserved for the famous and the powerful. Then Meta changed the rules, and now the game is a little more democratic. Here’s everything you need to know about getting verified on Instagram in 2026, whether you’re an artist, a brand, a creator, or just someone who wants people to know you’re the real deal.
Beyond the status, there are genuinely practical reasons to want that badge. Verification helps Instagram users find real accounts and helps stop impersonation. If you’re a musician, a public figure, or a business, having someone impersonate you on Instagram is a real risk, and verification is one of the best defences against it. It also adds immediate credibility. When someone lands on your profile for the first time and sees that checkmark, they know they’re in the right place.
You can get a blue check either through a paid Meta Verified subscription or by proving you are a notable public figure. Meta Verified typically takes 48 hours, while notable figure applications can take up to 30 days.
Here’s how each one works.
This is the traditional route and the harder one to get approved for. To request a verified badge for your Instagram profile, you must be a public figure, celebrity, or brand and meet certain account and eligibility requirements.
Open the Instagram app and head to Settings. Navigate to Account type and tools, then Request Verification. Fill out the form with your full name and upload a government-issued ID for individuals, or official business documentation for brands. Choose your account category, then add supporting links that prove your public presence, including press coverage, your website, or other verified social profiles. Submit your application and wait. You’ll typically receive a decision within 30 days.
A fashion blogger with 15,000 followers and press coverage may have better odds than a business account with 100,000 followers but no media mentions. It’s about proof of presence, not just popularity.
Open the Instagram app, head to Settings, then Meta Verified, and select the account you want to verify. Pay the subscription fee, which differs by platform and region. You may be asked to submit a government-issued ID and possibly a selfie or video for identity matching. Once Meta verifies your identity, your badge will be granted, which can take less than 20 minutes. Because this is a subscription, if you cancel or fail to comply with Meta’s rules, you can lose verification.
Subscription pricing starts at $14.99 per month for the Standard plan, with higher tiers available at $49.99, $149.99, and $499.99 per month.
Press coverage is the single biggest factor. Instagram wants to see that you exist in the world beyond your own social media. Get your name in news articles, blogs, interviews, and media features. Make sure your profile is complete, consistent, and public. Link to your Instagram from your website and other platforms. And don’t make major changes to your username or profile photo right before you apply, as excessive changes to your account within a certain time period prior to applying can work against you.
If you get rejected, don’t give up. You can apply again in 30 days and use that time to strengthen your presence. Plenty of accounts don’t make it on their first try but get approved later.
Verification on Instagram in 2026 is more accessible than it’s ever been. Whether you go the free route by building a genuinely public presence or you take the Meta Verified subscription path, the blue checkmark is within reach for more people than ever. Either way, what it signals remains the same: you’re real, you’re here, and you mean business.