How to Get Blue Tick on Instagram Free: The Real 2026 Guide
Yes, you can get the blue tick on Instagram free, but only through the free notability request, and only if your account is genuinely notable. Instagram still offers a free verification request inside the app for public figures, celebrities, and brands that news outlets already cover. If you are not notable yet, the realistic route is Meta Verified, a paid subscription that starts at 14.99 dollars a month in the app and confirms your identity with a government photo ID. Both routes give you the same blue checkmark.
What the Blue Tick on Instagram Actually Means
The blue tick is an identity check. Instagram confirms that the profile is the genuine presence of the person, brand, or organization named on it. It is not a reward for having many followers, and Instagram says it is not a symbol of importance, authority, or expertise. There is no follower minimum for either route.
The Two Routes to a Blue Tick in 2026
There are two legitimate ways to get verified on Instagram, and they check different things. The free route checks whether you are notable. The paid route checks whether you are who you say you are.
Route 1: The Free Notability Request
The free route costs nothing and the badge is permanent unless Instagram revokes it. You apply through the Instagram app, and Instagram reviews your account against four criteria: authentic, unique, complete, and notable. The decision can take up to 30 days.
Route 2: Meta Verified, the Paid Subscription
Meta Verified is a monthly subscription that confirms your identity, usually with a government photo ID. It starts at 14.99 dollars a month in the app, with prices varying by country and by plan. There is no notability test, no press coverage requirement, and no follower threshold. The review usually takes up to 3 business days.
Who Can Get the Blue Tick Free
Instagram reviews free verification requests against four requirements, and your application has to satisfy all of them. Authentic means the account represents a real person, a registered business, or another real entity, shown with official documents. Unique means it is the only account for that person or business, with exceptions for language-specific accounts, and general-interest accounts like fan pages or meme accounts are not eligible. Complete means the account is public, has a profile photo and a bio, and has at least one post. Notable means the person or brand is well known, highly searched for, and featured in multiple independent news sources.
How to Request the Free Blue Tick, Step by Step
Before you apply, do three things. First, choose your final username, because Instagram says that once you are verified you may not change the username on your account. Second, complete your profile: make the account public, add a real profile photo, and write a clear bio. Try an Instagram bio generator if yours is blank. Third, collect your coverage: links to independent news articles about you or your organization, not paid placements or sponsored posts.
Then submit the request in the Instagram app. Open your profile, tap the menu in the top right, open the Professional dashboard, tap Settings, then tap Request verification. Enter your full name, choose your category, upload your ID document, and add links to your press coverage. Tap Submit, then wait. Instagram says it will respond within 30 days. Do not submit a second request before you get a decision, because applying again cancels the first one.
How to Get the Blue Tick With Meta Verified
If you do not have press coverage, Meta Verified is the realistic path. First, turn on Advanced Protection, the security setting Meta requires for subscribers. Second, fix your profile name and photo before you apply, because your profile name must match the legal name on your ID, including a first and last name, and you may not be able to change it while the application is in review. Third, open Meta Verified in the app or in Accounts Center, choose a plan, pick the profile you want to verify, and set up monthly payment. Fourth, confirm your identity by uploading photos of your government ID. Meta reviews the application within 3 business days. Finish the application within 3 days of starting it, or Meta cancels the subscription and you become eligible for a refund.
Why Free Verification Requests Get Refused
Free requests fail for a small set of reasons. The most common is too little independent news coverage, or coverage that is paid or sponsored. Other common reasons are a private account, or one with no bio, no profile photo, or no recent activity. A general-interest account, such as a fan page or a meme page, is not eligible. A second account for the same person or business also fails the uniqueness test. Sending a second request before the first one gets a decision cancels the first application. Giving false information is the worst reason: Instagram may remove the badge and disable the account. If you are refused, wait 30 days and use the time to build real coverage. The guide on how to get more followers on Instagram covers the fundamentals.
Blue Tick Scams to Avoid
Only two verification routes are legitimate: the in-app request form and the Meta Verified subscription. Anyone emailing or messaging you an offer to sell you a badge is running a scam, so never pay a third party for a checkmark. There is no reseller channel, no agency allocation, and no partner program, so every service selling verification is selling something Instagram will remove. The same goes for websites that promise a free blue tick in exchange for your password or a payment: they are phishing for your account. Explore the free Instagram growth tools on BigFollowers while you build toward verification.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Instagram Blue Tick
Can I get the blue tick on Instagram free?
Yes, through the free notability request in the Instagram app. It costs nothing, but Instagram only approves accounts that are authentic, unique, complete, and notable, which means featured in multiple independent news sources. Paid or sponsored coverage does not count.
How long does free Instagram verification take?
Instagram says it will respond to a free verification request within 30 days. A Meta Verified application is reviewed within 3 business days. If your free request is refused, you must wait 30 days before applying again.
Can I buy a blue tick from someone else?
No. There is no legitimate way to buy a blue tick from a third party. Only the in-app request form and the Meta Verified subscription are real. Anyone selling a badge is running a scam, and Instagram removes badges obtained through third parties.
