Last updated · reviewed by the Essentras editorial team
Guide
How to get the Instagram blue check
The blue check changed. There are now two legitimate paths, one paid, one earned, and one thing that decides both: notability. Here is exactly how each works, what it costs, and why most people get rejected.
A monthly subscription (~$15/mo) plus a government-ID match. Open to most authentic accounts. Fast, but ongoing.
Free and permanent, but only for the genuinely notable. Decided largely on independent press coverage.
The one thing that decides it: notability
Whether you pay or apply on merit, the badge that sticks goes to accounts Meta can verify are well-known. The proof Meta looks for is coverage in independent, established outlets, not ads, not your own posts. That is the single most controllable lever, and the reason verification and press go hand in hand. Build the coverage first, then apply from strength.
FAQ
Instagram blue check, FAQ
How do you get the blue check on Instagram?▾
Two legitimate routes in 2026. Meta Verified: a paid monthly subscription with a government-ID match, available to most authentic accounts. Notability verification: free, for people and brands that are "well-known and often searched for", which Meta judges largely on independent press coverage. You cannot buy a badge through any other channel; those are scams.
Is the Instagram blue check free or paid now?▾
Both exist. Meta Verified is a paid subscription (around $15/month on mobile). Legacy notability verification is still free but is granted only to genuinely notable accounts and is much harder to qualify for.
Do I need a lot of followers to get verified?▾
No. Follower count is not a requirement. Authenticity, a complete profile, and notability (press coverage, public recognition) matter far more. Accounts with millions of followers get denied for lack of notability all the time.
What is the notability requirement?▾
Meta wants to see that you are covered by multiple independent, established news sources, not paid ads or self-published posts. A clean set of articles about you or your brand is the single strongest signal, and the one you can actually go and build.
How long does it take to get the blue check?▾
Meta Verified decisions are usually quick (days) once you subscribe and pass the ID check. Notability verification depends on how much coverage you already have; building that case typically takes a few weeks.
Why do verification applications get rejected?▾
The most common reason is "not notable enough", Meta cannot find independent coverage of you. Incomplete profiles, mismatched ID, and duplicate accounts also cause rejections. Fixing notability first is what flips most denials.
Related
Essentras is not affiliated with Meta. We use official verification routes only.
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