How To Verify Your Business on Instagram in 2025
Meta has made verification easier in some ways and much more confusing in others. Small business owners get hit with nonstop DMs promising “instant verification,” constant phishing attempts from fake Meta accounts, and a dashboard that changes every few months. The good news is that the real process is simple once you understand how Instagram handles verification in 2025.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know, step by step.
Instagram Has Two Types of Verification in 2025
There is more than one kind of blue check now, which is why so many people get confused.
1. Meta Verified for Business (Paid)
This is the subscription version. Think of it like an official identity badge.
It includes:
• A verified badge
• Access to Meta’s AI customer service
• Account monitoring for impersonators
• Priority support
• Enhanced profile features
This is the easiest way to get verified because Meta approves based on identity and business legitimacy, not fame or press coverage.
2. Legacy Notability Verification (Free)
This is the older style of verification based on public presence.
Instagram still approves these, but very rarely.
Meta looks for:
• Major press in reputable news sources
• Strong search volume
• A national or global presence
• Clear risk of impersonation
Most small businesses will not qualify for the notability route anymore, which is why Meta Verified is the path almost everyone uses today.
How To Apply for Instagram Verification (2025 Walkthrough)
Instagram changes its menu layout constantly, so here’s the updated path as of this year.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Open the Instagram app on your phone.
- Go to your profile.
- Tap the three-line menu in the top right.
- Tap Accounts Center.
- Select Meta Verified.
- Choose Business Verification if you manage a business profile.
- Follow the prompts to:
- • Confirm your identity
- • Upload business documents if requested
- • Connect your Facebook Page (if you have one)
- • Add your payment method
Once submitted, Meta usually responds within a few hours to a few days.
What Instagram Looks for When Approving Verification
Whether you are applying for paid or notability verification, Meta typically checks for:
• A real business identity that can be confirmed
• A consistent name across Instagram, Facebook, and your website
• A profile photo that represents your brand
• A completed bio with a link
• No history of policy violations
• A business that is active and posts regularly
The cleaner and more complete your presence is, the smoother the verification approval will be.
How To Avoid Instagram Verification Scams in 2025
Scams are at an all-time high because every business owner wants a blue check.
Here’s what to look out for:
Red Flags:
1. Any DM claiming to be “Meta Support.”
Meta does not DM people. Ever.
2. Anyone offering verification for a fee outside the app.
All verification is done inside Instagram or Facebook only.
3. Emails that look like “Your account will be disabled unless…”
Scammers use fear to get login details.
4. Links that take you outside Instagram to “appeal” or “verify.”
Real Meta links always end in meta.com, facebook.com, or instagram.com.
Safe Rule:
If you did not request verification inside the app yourself, do not click anything.
What To Do If Your Verification Request Gets Rejected
Rejections are normal, especially if something small triggered it.
Here’s what you can do:
• Make sure your website link works
• Add a real profile photo and clean up your bio
• Ensure your legal business name matches your profile name
• Connect your Facebook Page
• Post consistently for two to three weeks
• Then re-apply inside the Accounts Center
Businesses get approved all the time after simple cleanup steps like these.
Final Thoughts
Verification is no longer just a status symbol. In 2025 it affects trust, DM response rates, impersonation protection, and how customers view your legitimacy at a glance. Meta’s tools may be confusing, but the process is straightforward once you know where to go and what to avoid.
Small business owners who keep their profiles clean, consistent, and active will find Instagram’s verification system much easier to navigate.