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September 9, 2023 Mixcord, Inc.

How to Get Verified on Instagram in 2023

Verification serves a practical purpose of verifying who a person is, helping users to avoid “lookalike” or spoof accounts that could otherwise taint a perception of a person or brand. 

In today’s digital age, verification carries a heavier weight, prompting many to research how to get verified on Instagram. Despite the option to purchase verification (shown by those coveted symbols and checkmarks), data published from HypeAuditors has found that verified accounts receive 30% more engagement overall. This engagement is quantifiably shown to extend to all use tiers, andis much higher compared to accounts that have not been verified. 

There are about 1.35 billion Instagram users at the time of this publication. However, just 3.26% of accounts are currently verified. This means that there is ample opportunity for content creators to ride the wave of verification momentum, which can be easily done by purchasing an Instagram verified badge. 

If you’re wondering “how do you get verified on Instagram?” you’re in the right place. Read on to learn everything you need to know about Instagram verification. 

What Is an Instagram Verified Badge?

An Instagram Verified badge is indicated by a small black check mark in a bright blue badge. This is highly similar to what we see on Twitter (now known as X), only varying in the style of the border of the blue bubble. Instagram features a sharp, spiked border, while Twitter features a curvy, cloud-like appearance. X also offers gold and gray check marks, which indicate app-verified organizations and representative users, respectively. 

In the older days of social media, this type of designation was only reserved for those who were considered to be influential leaders, celebrities or creative artists. Additionally, it was given to those who might be at a higher risk of impersonation (such as congressional officials or influencers might have been). Now, however, it can be purchased to signal authenticity and to bolster brand perception among one’s followers. 

Verified badges do not, at the time of this publication, cross between Facebook and Instagram (despite both being owned by Meta). They will cross between Instagram and Threads, however. 

How to Get Instagram Verified: 2 Ways to the Blue Badge

Learning how to get verified by Instagram is a simple process. There are two primary pathways creators can use for getting verified on Instagram: 

1. Request a Verified Badge for Your Instagram Account

The age-old question of how DO you get verified on Instagram has finally been answered. Before the creation of the Meta Verified pathway, creators had a single option: Manual request. 

 Many creators still opt to request a verified badge for their Instagram account without using Meta Verified, as they would across a number of other platforms. Doing this requires a manual request and review process, in which Meta evaluates the account across four main metrics: 

  • Authenticity: Content on an account needs to represent a true business, person, organization or entity overall. 
  • Unique: Content should be unique and reflect the presence and branding of the business or person that is applying. Interest accounts, for this reason, cannot attain verification using this method. Regulations state that only one account per entity is permitted to be verified using this metric, excluding language-specific accounts (such as the example account of @mixcord—en vs. @mixcord—es). 
  • Complete: Instagram requires accounts applying to be public and complete at the time of application, meaning that there is a visible profile photo, bio and recent user activity associated with the account in question. 
  • Notable: While this seems subjective, Instagram will review to determine if the entity is highly searched for or sought after. Paid or sponsored content isn’t factored into one’s notability score, per Instagram. However, organic recognition (such as unpaid features across news sources) can be.

    • Higher-engagement content (such as Reels or videos) can also be factored into an account’s activity, impacting one’s notability and authenticity scores.This perk alone has been enough to prompt many to look into how to get verified on Instagram. 

    Beyond the value that these forms of content have on Meta’s verification pathway, brands and creators will also garner additional value from views and engagement. OptinMonster has found that video marketers and related initiatives get about 66% more qualified leads per year compared to other forms of content. 

    Looking for a fast track to better engagement and higher-quality content? We’ve put together Instagram Reel ideas for creating engaging content so that all you have to do is assemble it. 

    2. Subscribe to Meta Verified

    The Meta Verified program offers creators a second pathway for verification, which was launched on October 28th, 2021. At the time of this publication, Meta Verified costs $11.99 when users subscribe on the web, or $14.99 when they subscribe in-app. 

    Unfortunately, Meta Verified is not available in every region at this time. They are working on a global rollout, but no public-facing information has been released regarding timelines or next steps since June 27th, 2023. 


    To be eligible for Meta Verified, profiles must: 

  • Not be a business profile. Users who apply must also be 18 years of age. Both public and private profiles can apply for this verification pathway. 
  • Have two-factor authentication enabled. This can also be enabled after payment has been processed, if it hasn’t been done at the time of payment. 
  • Have a prior posting history. While this isn’t as rigorous of a requirement as we see in the first pathway, Instagram will review the account to determine if there is activity on it already. 
  • Be verifiable. Applications and profile photos must match a government-issued photo ID that contains both a recent photo and one’s name. 

    • *Both payment pathways also require complete adherence to the platform’s terms of use and community guidelines. 

    How to Manually Request Getting Verified on Instagram

    Looking for more info about how to get verified on Instagram? Here’s how creators and users can manually request Instagram verification: 

  • Log in to your account. Take a moment to ensure that you’re in the correct account that you wish to request verification for. 
  • Go to your Profile on the bottom right side of the screen. This gets you to the right place for your request. 
  • Go to Settings and Privacy. This will be hidden in your options area in the top right of your screen, indicated by two horizontal bars. 
  • Tap Account type and tools. This is under the “For Professionals” area of your Settings and Privacy parent menu. 
  • Tap Request Verification. This begins your process. 
  • Enter your information. You’ll be prompted for your full name and provide the required form of identification (example: government-issued photo ID or official business documents).
  • Follow the on-screen instructions. Verify that your answers are correct, then tap Submit.

    • There is no guarantee that an account will be approved for verification, even if all the steps are completed correctly. However, all applicants will receive confirmation of acceptance or denial within 48 hours of the application submission. 

    Additionally, if an account is verified, there are certain rules that must be followed. For example, a user cannot then change their usernames or date of birth after a Meta verification is secured.

    How to Use Meta Verified for Getting Verified on Instagram

    There are two main ways that a user gets Meta Verified on Instagram: 

    • Via the Meta Verified application process on the Instagram App
    • Via the Meta Verified application process from the Account Center

    Subscribing to Meta Verified on the Instagram App

    Below, we’ve outlined the steps to take to get Meta Verified in the Instagram app: 

  • Open the Instagram mobile app. Ensure that you’ve logged in to the correct Instagram account that you’re seeking verification for. 
  • Go to your Profile area. This is located at the bottom right of your display. Tap profile or your profile picture in the bottom right to go to your profile.
  • Go to your options bar. This is located in the upper right area of your Profile display, and is shown by two horizontal bars. 
  • Check eligibility. If Meta Verified is available in your region or for your profile, you will see an option for Meta Verified. 
  • Subscribe. Tap Meta Verified, then tap Subscribe. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete your subscription. 

    • Subscribing to Meta Verified From the Account Center

    Below, we’ve included a series of steps one can take to become Meta Verified from the Meta Account Center. 

  • Open the Instagram mobile app. Ensure that you’ve logged in to the correct Instagram account that you’re seeking verification for. 
  • Go to your Profile area. This is located at the bottom right of your display. Tap profile or your profile picture in the bottom right to go to your profile.
  • Click on the Accounts Center. Here, you’ll be able to proceed with the Meta Verified subscription process. 
  • Check eligibility. If Meta Verified is available for your account, you will see “Meta Verified available” below your name and profile picture.
  • Choose your profile that will be linked to your subscription. Ensure that it’s correct prior to proceeding. Then, click subscribe. 
  • Click on Pay Now. Enter your payment details as prompted on-screen. 
  • Tap Subscribe.

    • At the time of this publication, Meta Verified is billed monthly and can be canceled at any time. Users will not receive charges if the cancellation occurs at least 24 hours prior to the start of the next billing cycle. 

    Additional Instagram Content Creator Resources

    Now that you’ve answered the question, “how do you get verified on Instagram?” You may be looking for other helpful resources for your content creation process. The team at Mixcord is here to help. Read on for more support, tips and tricks, helping you to build your repository of engaging and unique content. 

    Filed in: 2 Ways to the Blue Badge, gold and gray check marks, How to Do a Voice Over on Instagram Reels, how to get verified on Instagram, How to Manually Request Getting Verified on Instagram, How to Use Instagram for Business, How to Use Meta Verified for Getting Verified on Instagram, Instagram Reel ideas for creating engaging content, Instagram verified badge, Platform Battles: Instagram Reels vs TikTok, Platform Battles: YouTube Shorts vs Instagram Reels, Using Instagram Reels vs Story: What's the Difference?, What Is an Instagram Verified Badge?, Why You Should Add Captions to Instagram Video
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