You can apply for a blue tick on Instagram through the free verification application or the paid Meta Verified subscription. The free option is intended for well known people and brands. Meta Verified includes an identity check. First, check your own Instagram account to see which option is available to you and read the terms. An application or payment does not automatically entitle you to a tick.
Below, you can read which option suits you, how to prepare your application and what to do if an option is unavailable.
What does a blue tick on Instagram mean?
A blue tick is a verification badge: a sign next to a checked account. According to the official explanation of the Instagram verification badge the badge confirms that a well known account genuinely belongs to that person or brand.
The tick is not a seal of approval for everything someone posts. An account with a tick can still make mistakes, give poor advice or sell a disappointing product.
A tick can be useful when people do not know which profile is yours. Imagine a musician from Belgium with several fan accounts using almost the same name. In this fictional example, a tick helps people identify the real account. Do you share a private profile only with friends? Then this distinction is usually less important.
Should you choose free Instagram verification or Meta Verified?
Do you want to be recognisable as a well known person or brand? Then look at the free application. Considering a paid subscription that checks your identity? Then look at Meta Verified.
In the introduction of Meta Verified in 2023 Meta described a subscription with a badge, identity checks, protection against impersonation and access to support. Before you pay, read what the subscription currently offers.
| Question | Free verification | Meta Verified |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | A free application for a well known person or brand. | A paid subscription with verification. |
| What do you check beforehand? | Which details and evidence you need to submit. | Whether your account is eligible to participate and what the subscription includes. |
| What should you consider? | Having many followers is not the same as being well known. | The price, payment period, terms and how to cancel. |
| What is not guaranteed? | That your application will be approved. | That more people will see your posts or start following you. |
For a Dutch or Belgian account, use the price and terms shown in the official offer. Do not rely on an amount from an old guide or another country.
How to prepare for free Instagram verification
Instagram buttons and menus can change. Therefore, follow this preparation and use the instructions shown in your own account.
- Check your profile. Do your name, photo and description clearly show who you are? Correct mistakes before submitting an application.
- Search Instagram for the official explanation. Look in the settings or help function for verification or a verification badge. Check whether the explanation concerns the free application rather than a subscription.
- Read which details are required. Collect what the form requests. Do you need to show that you or your brand is well known? Use relevant information that Instagram can verify.
- Review your answers. Check names and references. Include only information that you can support with evidence.
- Submit the application through the official process. Note when you submitted the application and follow the instructions you receive afterwards.
Do you want to change your Instagram usernamefirst? Then choose the name people should be able to find you by before applying. This way, you do not use different names during your application.
Cannot find the free application?
Check that you are logged in to the right account. Then look in the official help for the free verification application. Do you only see Meta Verified? You do not have to pay if you do not want a subscription. Without an available application option, you cannot complete the free process at that time.
How to apply for a blue tick with Meta Verified
Meta Verified is a subscription, not a separate purchase of a tick. Therefore, look at the costs and terms as well as the badge.
- Find Meta Verified from your own account. Use the official Instagram or Meta environment. Do not open a payment link from an unknown message.
- Read who can participate. Do not assume that the same terms apply to a personal profile as to a business.
- Check what you receive and pay. Check the price, payment period, included support and how you can cancel.
- Read how your identity is checked. Check which details are required before sending anything. Share sensitive documents only through the official application environment.
- Follow the application steps on your screen. Then check the status of your application and any follow up questions. Paying does not mean that your verification will be completed immediately.
Do you not see an offer? Search the official explanation for what applies to your account and region. Do not pay anyone who claims they can enable the missing option for you.
What do you do if your Instagram verification is rejected?
Start with the notification about your application. It may contain a reason or further instructions. Without that information, you cannot determine why your application was rejected.
Then check the following:
- Does the chosen option suit your situation? The free application and Meta Verified do not have the same purpose.
- Have you entered all the requested details?
- Are your name and other details correct everywhere?
- Do the references you included work?
- Is Instagram asking for an improvement or additional information?
These are points you can check yourself, not a complete list of official reasons for rejection. Correct anything that is inaccurate. For a new application, follow the timeframe and instructions Instagram shows, rather than a fixed waiting period from an old blog.
What does a blue tick on Instagram not guarantee?
A blue tick does not promise extra views, followers, customers or sales. Bought followers are also not proof that your account qualifies for verification.
Do you mainly want more likes on Instagram? That is a separate question. A tick does not replace a photo or video that people want to respond to.
An account with a tick is not automatically secure either. Use a unique password and turn on an additional login check. Never give your password or login code to anyone who says they can arrange your verification.
Do you receive a message saying that your tick will disappear immediately if you do not click a link? Open Instagram yourself and check your account there. This way, you do not have to rely on the link in that message.
Make your Instagram profile recognisable without a blue tick
Even without verification, you can make it clear to visitors who you are. Review your profile:
- Use a recognisable profile photo.
- Briefly explain who you are and what you share.
- Where possible, use the same name in places where people already know you.
- Do you have your own website? Link to your Instagram profile there.
- Give important information a permanent place, such as details about yourself or your work.
For the latter, you can create Instagram highlightsThis puts useful stories together on your profile. They do not replace verification, but they do help visitors understand who you are. If you also publish your own content, our Instagram services includes packages for followers and likes. The product pages show the available quantities and prices.
