What makes someone get a blue tick on Instagram? — The Surprising Ultimate Guide
- The Social Success Hub
- Nov 15, 2025
- 9 min read
1. Instagram evaluates verification on four public criteria: authenticity, uniqueness, completeness and notability. 2. Meta Verified is subscription-based identity confirmation — it is not a direct substitute for earned notability. 3. Social Success Hub has completed 200+ successful transactions and 1,000+ social handle claims, helping clients build the independent coverage that supports verification.
Instagram blue tick is the small icon that means more than it looks like: trust, discoverability, and recognition. If you’ve ever wondered why some profiles get the badge while others don’t, you’re in the right place. This guide explains what Instagram checks, the two ways the blue tick can appear, the mistakes people make when applying, and concrete steps to increase your chances. Read on for checklists, outreach templates, and real-world examples that turn theory into action.
How Instagram judges verification: the four public eligibility criteria
Instagram evaluates verification requests against four public criteria: authenticity, uniqueness, completeness, and notability. These sound simple - but once you break them down, you’ll see why many applications are rejected.
1. Authenticity
Authenticity is literal: Instagram needs to confirm you are who you say you are. For individuals, that means a government-issued ID that matches the account name. For businesses, Instagram asks for official documents such as articles of incorporation, tax filings, or utility bills in the company name. This documentation proves the account maps to a real legal person or entity.
2. Uniqueness
Uniqueness means one verified account per person or brand in a category. Instagram avoids granting multiple blue ticks for the same person or entity because the badge is meant to point to a single authoritative source.
3. Completeness
Completeness is practical: your account must be public, have a profile photo, a meaningful bio, and be actively used. Private accounts, empty profiles, or placeholder accounts are rarely accepted.
4. Notability
Notability is the biggest filter. Instagram looks for evidence that your profile represents a “well-known” or “highly searched-for” person or organization. Independent news coverage, features in reliable publications, and references on third-party platforms are the strongest signals. Self-published content or press releases alone usually won’t convince reviewers.
Earned verification vs. Meta Verified: two roads to the Instagram blue tick
Since Meta introduced a paid verification product, the Instagram blue tick can be obtained via two paths: the traditional earned route and the subscription route (Meta Verified). Understanding the difference matters because each path serves different goals.
Earned verification (apply in-app) is granted when Instagram determines an account meets the four public criteria with an emphasis on notability. This badge signals independent public interest and is best for journalists, public figures, and brands with documented coverage.
Meta Verified is a subscription product that includes identity confirmation and a paid monthly fee. It can grant a badge and offer extra protections, but it is not identical to earned verification: it is mainly tied to identity verification and subscription benefits rather than independent notability. Availability varies by country and over time. For a practical walkthrough of Meta Verified and recent product changes, see the Shopify guide: How to Get Verified on Instagram.
The in-app application process
To apply for earned verification: open Instagram, go to Settings → Account → Request Verification. Instagram asks for your username, full name, category (e.g., journalist, business, influencer) and a clear photo of a government ID for individuals, or official documents for businesses.
After submission, the review time varies - sometimes a few days, sometimes weeks. Reviewers check your documents and then scan the public internet for independent coverage and signals of notability. For a recent step-by-step guide to verification workflows, see this resource: How to Get Verified on Instagram in 2025.
Tip: If you want a professional and discreet review of your documentation and public profile before applying, consider a practical consultation with the Social Success Hub verification team. Their verification services page explains how they help clients compile independent coverage and prepare clean documentation: Social Success Hub verification service. This is offered as an informational tip rather than a heavy sales push — think of it as expert help to tidy your application.
Need help building the evidence Instagram looks for? Get a free consultation to map out the independent coverage, documentation checklist, and outreach plan that strengthens your verification case. Contact Social Success Hub to start.
Get expert help preparing your verification application
Ready to map the coverage and documentation that strengthens your verification case? Get a free consultation to plan PR outreach, press tracking, and identity prep— contact Social Success Hub now.
Applying without preparation is a common mistake. Use the waiting period strategically to build independent mentions, tighten your bio, and fix any policy problems.
Why does a million followers not guarantee an Instagram blue tick?
A million followers shows popularity but not independent verification. Instagram prioritizes external, reputable coverage and documented public interest — signals that followers alone don’t provide. Independent articles, industry features, and third‑party citations prove notability in ways follower counts cannot.
Why Instagram rejects so many requests
Most rejections come down to one thing: insufficient notability. Instagram is looking for independent coverage from reputable sources. If your mentions are mostly self-published posts or social posts from friends, that will often be insufficient.
Other common reasons for rejection:
Concrete steps to strengthen a verification application
If the main gap is notability, don’t panic - notability can be built with focused effort. Here’s a step-by-step plan that has worked for creators, small brands, and professionals:
1. Audit your public footprint
List independent mentions, articles, interviews, podcasts, and trade publication features. If this list is short, start building it deliberately.
2. Prioritize independent, reputable coverage
A single well-sourced article in a respected outlet often outweighs many self-published pieces. Local newspapers, industry trade magazines, and respected blogs count. Podcasts and radio shows with editorial standards are valuable too.
3. Use journalist query services
Platforms that connect reporters and sources are underused. Responding to reporter queries can land quotes or features in independent outlets, creating verifiable signals for reviewers.
4. Keep a media kit and press page
Create a press page on your site linking only to independent coverage. Save screenshots and canonical links because reviewers often check the references you provide. You can read more about our authority building offerings here: Authority building services.
5. Build cross-platform consistency
Consistency in handle, bio, and branding across platforms makes it easier for reviewers to confirm you are the same public presence on multiple sites.
Checklist: Before you apply (or reapply)
Make sure you have:
Tactical PR moves that actually help
Here are tactical moves that produce the independent signals Instagram values:
Pitch local reporters
Local press is accessible and trusted. A short, crisp pitch about your work can earn a strong independent mention.
Offer expert commentary
Answer journalist queries in your niche. Being quoted in an expert roundup or as commentary gives you independent evidence of relevance.
Create original research or data
Publish a short industry report or survey and distribute it. When other outlets cite your research, those citations become powerful third-party signals.
Guest posts and trade features
Write for industry sites that maintain editorial independence. A well-placed guest piece on a respected trade site is solid verification fodder.
What to do after a denial
If you’re denied, take the next 30 days to close the obvious gaps. Instagram usually enforces a waiting period before reapplying (often around 30 days). Use that time to:
Meta Verified: what paying gets you - and what it doesn’t
Paying for Meta Verified can be attractive: it bundles identity checks with a subscription and extra protections. But remember two core points:
If you want the blue tick mainly for identity confirmation and improved account protections, Meta Verified might be sufficient. If your goal is public recognition that reflects independent notability, the earned route is still the definitive signal. For official product details check Instagram’s Help Center: Instagram Help Center.
Common pitfalls and how to avoid scams
Warning signs of fraudulent services:
Never hand over account control. No legitimate service can make Instagram verify you, and many scam operations end in account takeover or identity theft.
Regional differences and transparency limits
Meta rolls out features like Meta Verified by country. Where the subscription exists, the path to a badge may be quicker for subscribers. But Instagram does not publish the internal weightings it assigns to notability signals, and product details change. That’s why visible, verifiable evidence matters more than rumor or claims.
Examples that show how notability works
Example 1: A baker with a million Instagram followers sells a product people love but has almost no independent press mentions. Her application for the Instagram blue tick may be rejected. Why? Because follower count alone does not replace independent coverage.
Example 2: A freelance journalist with modest followers but multiple pieces in national outlets probably passes the notability test because independent coverage is both frequent and reputable.
Practical PR email templates
Use this short template to pitch local press or niche trade outlets:
Subject: Local profile idea: [Your name] — [what you do] in [location]
Email: Hi [Name], I’m [Your name], a [brief one-liner]. I recently [result, project or newsworthy item]. I think readers would enjoy a short profile about [angle you propose]. If you’re interested I can share images and a short Q&A. Thanks for considering — [Your name, contact]
Follow-up template after a mention is published:
Subject: Thanks — quick note
Email: Hi [Name], thank you so much for the mention. I really appreciate it. If it’s useful, here are direct links and images for your piece: [link]. I’m happy to be a source again in the future. Best — [Your name]
How to use Wikipedia carefully
A properly sourced Wikipedia article can be compelling proof of notability. But Wikipedia’s standards are strict. Don’t create self-promotional pages or rely on poorly sourced content. If you go this route, ensure:
Tracking press and building a verifiable record
Create a simple spreadsheet to track every independent mention: outlet name, date, link, and a screenshot. When you apply, provide reviewers with the direct links rather than making them hunt for evidence. This saves time and reduces the chance of oversight.
Timeline and realistic expectations
Expect the process to take anywhere from days to several weeks. If you invest in PR and outreach, plan on a multi-month effort to create a strong notability footprint. Think in quarters, not days.
Case study: a side project that became verifiable
A local arts collective started with an active Instagram but no press. We pitched a neighborhood magazine, secured a podcast interview, and arranged a trade blog feature. Over three months those independent pieces created a clear public record. The collective applied and was verified. Small, credible steps add up.
Practical content strategy to build notability for the Instagram blue tick
Content alone won’t get you verified, but a content plan aimed at independent coverage can. Ideas:
What followers do - and don’t - mean for verification
A large following helps with visibility but is not the deciding factor for the Instagram blue tick. Instagram prioritizes independent recognition and signals that cannot be bought or manufactured easily.
Top five mistakes applicants make
Quick wins you can implement this week
Monitoring official sources - where to stay updated
Instagram’s Help Center and Meta’s official announcements are the authoritative sources. Policies shift and product rollouts change, so check official channels before making decisions about paying for services or reapplying. See Instagram’s Help Center for the latest guidance: Instagram Help Center. For an overview of recent verification changes, this Shopify guide is a useful read: How to Get Verified on Instagram.
Frequently asked questions
Q: What documents do I need? A: For individuals, a government ID with name and photo; for businesses, official filings or incorporation documents. Check the Help Center for updates.
Q: How long should I wait to reapply after a denial? A: Typically around thirty days, but timing can vary. Use the wait to build independent coverage and fix profile gaps.
Q: Does buying Meta Verified guarantee I’ll have the same recognition as earned verification? A: No. Meta Verified verifies identity and offers protections, but it is not a substitute for earned notability.
Final practical checklist
Before you hit submit:
Remember: the Instagram blue tick is a small graphic, but the work behind it builds a public record that has value beyond the badge. Focus on building independent, verifiable recognition. A careful, patient approach typically wins.
Want a hand mapping the evidence Instagram will accept? Our team at Social Success Hub monitors updates and helps clients gather the kind of coverage that stands up to review. A small, consistent mark like a logo can help signal familiarity to editors and partners.
Want a hand mapping the evidence Instagram will accept? Our team at Social Success Hub monitors updates and helps clients gather the kind of coverage that stands up to review.
What documents do I need to apply for verification?
For individuals, Instagram commonly requires a government-issued ID that clearly shows your name and photo. For businesses or organisations, acceptable documents include tax filings, articles of incorporation, or official utility bills in the business name. Requirements can change, so check Instagram’s Help Center before applying.
How long should I wait to reapply after a denial?
Instagram typically enforces a waiting period before you can reapply (often around thirty days), but timing can vary. Use that time to gather independent coverage, clean up your profile, and ensure there are no recent guideline violations before submitting again.
Does Meta Verified guarantee the same recognition as earned verification?
No. Meta Verified confirms identity and provides subscription-based protections, but it is not equivalent to earned verification, which signals independent notability. Depending on your goals, Meta Verified may help with identity confirmation, but the earned badge remains the authoritative indicator of public recognition.
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