In a recent announcement, Meta (formerly Facebook) revealed that it is testing a new program called ‘Meta Verified’ to help users identify authentic and trustworthy accounts on its platforms.

Many of us have always wondered how to get verified on Instagram and now it seems we can pay our way to that coveted blue tick!

The initial test of the program is currently underway, and it aims to provide users with more transparency and security while using Meta’s various services.

How to get verified on Instagram – without paying!

If you use Instagram regularly, you’ve probably seen accounts with a small blue tick next to their name. This tick is a badge of verification, indicating that the account has been verified by Instagram as authentic and belongs to the person or entity it claims to represent.

In other words, the blue tick means that the account is legitimate, and not an imposter or fake account.

So, how does an account get the sought-after Instagram verified badge?

Instagram has a verification process in place to ensure that only eligible accounts are verified.

To apply for verification, an account must meet the following requirements:

Be authentic: The account must represent a real person, business, or entity.
Be unique: The account must be the unique presence of the person or business it represents. Only one account per person or business may be verified.
Be complete: It must be public, have a profile picture, bio, and at least one post.
Be notable: It needs to represent a well-known or highly searched-for person, brand, or entity.

If an account meets these requirements, the owner can apply for verification by submitting a request through Instagram’s settings. Instagram will then review the account and determine if it is eligible for an Instagram blue check

However, not all Instagram accounts are eligible for verification. In fact, Instagram only verifies certain types of accounts that meet specific criteria. If you want to get your account verified, it’s important to understand which types of accounts are eligible.

They have a large following

Instagram tends to verify accounts that have a large following, as this indicates that the account is popular and well-known. If you have a significant number of followers, you may be more likely to be eligible for verification.

Public figures or celebrities

If you are a public figure or celebrity, or if you represent one, you may be eligible for verification. This includes actors, musicians, athletes, politicians, and other well-known individuals.

Big brands or businesses

Instagram also verifies accounts that represent well-known brands or businesses. If you have a business account and your brand is well-established and well-known, you may be eligible for verification.

News organizations and journalists

Instagram may also verify accounts that belong to news organizations or journalists. This helps to ensure that the news being shared is coming from a reliable source.

Government and official organizations

Finally, Instagram may verify accounts belonging to government or official organizations, such as embassies, government agencies, or non-profit organizations.

What is Meta Verified?

The Meta Verified program is a paid verification program that will use a combination of technology and human review to verify the authenticity of accounts on Meta’s platforms.

The verified accounts will be labelled with a blue Instagram verified badge that will appear next to the account name, indicating that the account has been verified by Meta.

According to Meta,

“To help up-and-coming creators grow their presence and build community faster, we’ll begin testing a new offering called Meta Verified, a subscription bundle on Instagram and Facebook that includes a verified badge, which authenticates your account with government ID, proactive account protection, access to account support, and increased visibility and reach. We’re starting with a gradual test in Australia and New Zealand later this week to learn what’s most valuable, and we hope to bring Meta Verified to the rest of the world soon.”

Meta has reported that the two most requested features they receive are account support and better access to verification, so they are trying to find ways to help their users.

But it comes with a price! $14.99 per month to be precise (if you buy it via a mobile app – $11.99 if you buy it on the web).

What do we get for nearly $180 a year?

A verified badge confirming you’re the real you.
More protection from impersonation, great for celebrities! Probably not worth the money if you’re just trying to stop scammers when you do the odd giveaway.
Access to a real person for common account issues – now that I would pay for!
Increased visibility and reach with prominence in some areas like search, comments and recommendations. This makes me feel a little uneasy…
Exclusive features – stickers for Facebook and Instagram Stories and Reels and 100 free stars a month on Facebook to show your support to other creators. Hmmmm, I’ll pass!

How to get verified on Instagram via Meta Verified

The verification process will include a review of the account holder’s government-issued ID and other documentation to confirm their identity. Meta will also use advanced technology to detect and remove fake accounts, impersonators, and other fraudulent activities on its platforms.

The Meta Verified program is an extension of the company’s existing efforts to improve platform safety and security. In recent years, Meta has invested heavily in developing advanced tools and technologies to combat misinformation, hate speech, and other harmful content on its platforms.

Meta’s move towards verification and authenticity follows similar initiatives by other social media companies such as Twitter and Snapchat, which have all implemented verification programs to help users identify genuine accounts.

Although, Twitter’s verification plan didn’t really go according to, well, plan!

When Twitter announced Twitter Blue, many people were quick to point out the flaw in the new feature. Users were able to impersonate big brands with a blue tick to make Twitter users think they were the real deal.

There were even accounts impersonating Elon Musk and it all got a bit messy.

However, Twitter Blue has around 300,000 subscribers and at $8 a month, that’s a nice little earner. This is probably why Meta has piqued interest in paid verification!

Will it work?

The whole point in having an Instagram verified badge is because of the reasons noted above – you are a public figure, big brand, journalist or government official. If anyone can buy the blue tick, doesn’t that defeat the object of its authoritativeness?

I am also a little concerned about the fact that paying to get meta verified will increase your account’s visibility and reach and will once again favour people who can afford to do so.

Adam Mosseri, Instagram CEO, has said himself that he can’t see a huge amount of people signing up for Meta Verified and getting a blue tick on Instagram, so the impact of increased visibility and reach will be minimal. Only time will tell.

Meta’s announcement of the Meta Verified program is seen as a positive step towards improving platform safety and security on its platforms.

By implementing this program, Meta aims to provide users with more transparency and confidence in the accounts they interact with, which can help to build trust and reduce the spread of harmful content on its platforms.

Currently, only individuals can apply for this, so I can only see Creators taking up this opportunity. Are we going to see a huge influx of new blue tick Instagram holders? I don’t think so.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How can I apply for verification on Instagram and Facebook?

A: To apply for verification on Instagram, go to your profile > tap the three lines in the upper right corner > select Settings > Account > Request Verification, and fill out the form. To apply for verification on Facebook, go to your Page Settings, click “Page Verification,” and follow the prompts.

Q. How long does it take to get verified by Instagram?

A. The length of time it takes to get verified on Instagram can vary, as it depends on a variety of factors such as the number of requests that Instagram is currently processing, the completeness of your verification application, and the accuracy of the information provided.

Generally, the verification process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. It’s important to note that not everyone who applies for verification will be approved, as Instagram has specific requirements that must be met in order to receive the verified badge.

Q. How do I check my Instagram verification?

A. Generally, the verification process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. It’s important to note that not everyone who applies for verification will be approved, as Instagram has specific requirements that must be met in order to receive the verified badge.

Q. Will accounts already verified on Instagram get the same features as meta verified?

A. Instagram’s current verification system allows verified accounts to have access to certain features, such as the ability to add links to Instagram Stories and access to special filters and stickers. It’s unclear at this time whether these features will be the same for accounts that are verified through Meta’s new system.