Facebook is the world's most popular social media platform and a must-have for any brand's social media strategy. There are an estimated 200 million businesses and brand accounts on Facebook. There are also fan pages, parody accounts, and fraud accounts.
Anyone can start a Facebook page anytime, and there's no real restriction on what they can call their page.
Facebook verification lets consumers know which business and brand accounts are real. Verification adds credibility to your page and gives other users confidence that your page is the right one to connect with.
Let's examine why it's worthwhile to get verified on Facebook and how to get the blue checkmark next to your profile picture.
What is Facebook verification?
Facebook verification gives you a blue checkmark next to your profile photo. It shows your audience that you are legitimately representing the business you claim to be.
To get verified on Facebook, you'll need to submit forms to the parent company, Meta, which prove you are the legitimate manager of the brand page or that you are the real person whose profile you want to verify.
There are actually two verification programs through Meta: You can apply for a verification process through Facebook for free, or you can subscribe to Meta Verified.
Meta Verified is a paid subscription service, but applicants still need to meet some minimum requirements to get verified. Subscribers to Meta Verified also get the blue checkmark on their linked Instagram account. However, if you apply through the free service on Facebook, you will also need to apply separately on Instagram to get the blue checkmark there.
In this guide, we'll focus mostly on the free verification process.
Benefits of Facebook verification
Getting verified on Facebook makes Facebook marketing more effective and efficient thanks to benefits like:
Increased credibility
The verification badge gives Facebook users confidence that your page is a legitimate business page. In the case of personal profiles, it proves that you're really you. This also makes brands seem more legitimate and trustworthy than brands that don't have verified social media accounts.
Improved reach
Verified accounts rank higher in search results on the platform. This makes your promotional content more effective because it's seen by more people than it would be from an unverified account.
Guard against imposters
The verification badge will help you distance yourself from fake accounts or imposters. This is particularly important if those accounts spread misinformation about your brand.
Manage customer interactions and brand voice
Facebook verification helps you protect your brand identity, so even if fan groups or pages look like they're legitimate, the badge helps show which page is the right page for potential customers to connect with.
Now that we've explored the compelling reasons to verify your brand Facebook page, let's look at how Facebook verification works.
Eligibility criteria for Facebook verification
Most businesses and people with a high public profile are eligible for the Facebook verified checkmark, but not all will meet the requirements.
So, what do you need to have to be verified on Facebook?
Account type requirements
Types of pages that are eligible for Facebook verification include:
- Small businesses
- Medium businesses
- Large brands
- Sporting teams
- Sporting organizations
- Bands
- Entertainers
- Individuals with a large public profile, including artists, athletes, and even CEOs
You must have a personal profile or a business page to be verified. Facebook groups and communities are ineligible for verification.
Unlike other social media platforms, Facebook will only verify the personal profiles of highly searched-for public figures.
In all cases, the page must be authentic and run by the brand or individual directly. It must also be unique: Facebook won't verify multiple accounts for the same business or the same person. Facebook also won't verify a fan page, supporter group, or parody account.
Country and region limitations
The only limitations on country and region refer to the Meta Verified subscription service, which is currently not available globally. People who are applying through the conventional system can apply in any country.
It's worth noting that country-specific accounts for a brand are less likely to be verified, but language-specific accounts are.
Compliance with Facebook’s community standards
This almost goes without saying, but all Facebook accounts must meet Facebook's community standards. If you don't, you will not only fail in your bid to be verified, but you may lose your account entirely.
Minimum activity requirements
The official minimum activity requirement to get a verification badge is at least one post, and it must be recent. However, the minimum is not necessarily enough to get verified on Facebook.
You should have a strong record of activity and engagement to receive Facebook verification.
How to apply for Facebook verification
The process of applying for a verified Facebook page is relatively straightforward. Here's how:
1. Log in to your Facebook account
Open your personal page and switch to your business page account.
2. Go to your Facebook settings
To apply for Meta Verified, go into the Meta Business Suite and select "Meta Verified" from the left-hand menu item.
To use the free service, go to Security Center under Settings and select "Verification". This will open the application form.
3. Choose your verification type
The first step is to choose to verify your Facebook page or profile. This is where you choose which type of Facebook verification you need. If you're verifying a page, you will be able to select which page you manage in the drop-down menu.
4. Fill out the verification form
Complete the answers in the verification form. This form collects information that identifies you or your brand. It also aims to confirm your notability: That is, confirm that you are a high-profile person or brand that requires a verified account. The form will ask you for information like:
- The region or country you're in
- The category your business or public profile fits into: i.e., sport, entertainment, technology
- Audience information
You can also add links to news articles or websites that mention you or your brand to demonstrate your notability.
5. Upload required documents
As you fill in the form, you'll be asked to upload documents to verify your ID. Document requirements differ depending on if you're an individual or a brand. In both instances, they are required to verify your identity and authenticity.
The documents required to verify your personal Facebook profile include ID and address verification documents such as:
- Driver's license
- Passport
- Utility bill
The documents and information that allow you to verify a brand profile on Facebook include:
- Certificate/Articles of Incorporation
- Business Registration or License Document
- Government-Issued Business Tax Document (This could include a Tax Certificate. Self-filed tax documents are not accepted.)
- Business Bank Statement
- Recent utility Bill
- Articles that mention your business page
6. Submit your verification request
Once you've uploaded all your documents and completed the form, hit "submit" to submit your form.
7. Wait for Facebook’s review and decision
Now you wait. Facebook accepts some requests within 48 hours, but it could also take up to 45 days to verify a Facebook page. Facebook uses AI tools to complete the verification process.
How to improve your chances of getting verified on Facebook
Even if you meet the basic eligibility requirements, verification is not guaranteed. Here are some best practice tips to improve your chances of getting a Facebook verified badge.
Creating a powerful online presence
If you're reading this article, it's likely you're already a brand with a strong Facebook marketing strategy. A large following and strong online presence help demonstrate your notability and "worthiness" for verification. If a large number of people follow your account or mention it, it adds credibility to your claim of authenticity. Put simply: a large and active page will be more likely to achieve verification than one with only a few followers or posts.
Pro Tip: Use social media analytics tools to assess your Facebook audience.
Connecting regularly with your audience
You will increase your chances of success if you post content that encourages your target audience to respond to your posts and interact with your page. It will also help if you interact directly with fans of your page. This includes regular activities like:
- Responding to comments
- Liking comments on your page
- Responding to messages sent to your page
Social media management tools like Brandwatch help you make authentic, tangible connections with your audience that help show Facebook that you are both real and active.
The importance of high-quality content
Facebook rightly assumes that brand pages will only post well-produced, quality content. Typos, low-quality images, off-brand logos and imagery, and spam content will all prevent your page from being verified.
Social media scheduling tools help you maintain consistent posts and manage post quality and variety. Consistent, high-quality content increases your chances of verification because it shows the assessment tool that you're active and promotes engagement from your fans and followers.
Interact with other verified individuals or businesses
It also helps to interact with other social media accounts, especially those that are already verified. Maybe that's a sister company or parent company or an overseas affiliate of your own brand. Regular contact with other Facebook users through commenting, liking, and sharing posts from these accounts is another way to be active and demonstrate authenticity.
Common reasons Facebook rejects verification requests
It is notoriously difficult to get verified on Facebook, and Facebook declines many applications. Here are some common reasons Facebook might reject a verification request:
Incomplete or incorrect information
Your brand page should include key information about your business. That includes your location, contact number, website, and a descriptive bio. This information should align with other publicly available information.
Make sure your business page has the most accurate and up-to-date information before you request verification.
Inactive accounts or low public interest
Facebook rewards activity and engagement. If your account looks untended or abandoned, it won't be verified. Low activity, low follower counts, and low engagement will all make Facebook question the validity of your page. If you don't already have a strong social media presence, spend time building your brand page before you submit a Facebook request for a blue checkmark.
Violating Facebook’s community guidelines
Any posts that are against community guidelines can disqualify your page for verification.
Content that violates community guidelines includes (but isn't limited to):
- Hate speech
- Misinformation
- Nudity
- Spam
- Stolen content
Facebook moderates its platform using artificial intelligence (AI), which can sometimes lead to posts you think are okay triggering its sensors. And, sometimes, ad posts go against guidelines in the eyes of Facebook without you realizing it. Make sure that any ads you place are classified correctly, especially ads that promote a finance rate. If these aren't tagged in the special ad category for financial products, Facebook may flag your account as violating guidelines and reject your application for a verified account.
Facebook will usually notify you of any posts or ads that go against its advertising policy or community guidelines, but sometimes the notification goes unnoticed. Check your Support Inbox in the Meta Business Suite for notifications before you submit your verification request.
How to fix common errors and reapply
Oftentimes, a page is rejected for verification because of unforeseen errors. Common errors include all of the elements we mentioned above, but there are others, too.
If your verification application is rejected for community guidelines, you will usually be able to delete the offending post (or posts) and reapply.
Your verification may also be rejected if the name of your page or the business name you submitted doesn't match the official documents exactly. You can correct this legal name in your settings page and resubmit.
Website issues are another surprising yet common way your Facebook page can fail the verification badge process. If your website doesn't allow crawling by bots, if it isn't HTTPS compliant, or if it contains broken links, the automated Facebook verification process will likely reject your application. You can fix this by repairing your site and updating it to the latest security protocols.
You will also be denied if you submit the wrong type of documents — for example, if you upload the filing form and not the registration certificate for your business. You can correct this by uploading the correct forms.
What to do if your Facebook verification request is rejected
Facebook won't approve every verification request. If you are rejected, don't give up. There are things you can do if your Facebook verification request is rejected.
Find out why your request was denied
You can review the progress and status of your verification request in your Security Center. Often, you will see a reason why your page was rejected.
However, Facebook won't always give you a reason for rejecting your verification badge. If you're not sure why it was denied, you can reach out to Facebook support to ask for help. You may also get direct account support through your Meta business account manager if you have one.
You can also revisit this guide and look back to make sure your documents are up to date, your page has your correct business information, and your posts meet the minimum requirements.
Steps to file an appeal on Facebook
If you're confident that you meet all the eligibility criteria and have a strong Facebook presence, you can lodge a verification appeal through your Security Center.
Even if the option to appeal doesn't appear right away, you can usually resubmit your application after 30 days. Spend this period increasing your Facebook marketing efforts, carefully managing your profile, updating any information, reviewing your website, and focusing on building your social media profile.
You can also add more information to your second application. Remember, you can submit up to five links to media articles and mentions as well as new documents that help verify your identity.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Facebook verification process take?
The Facebook page verification process usually takes between 48 and 72 hours; however, it can take as long as 45 days. You can review your verification status in the Security Center, where you began your application. Remember: the Facebook page verification process is automated using Meta's AI tools, so the time may vary. Applications for Meta Verified plans are usually less stringent and get approved faster than the free version.
How do I secure my verified Facebook account?
To get a verified Facebook account, simply follow the steps in the guide above. To secure your Facebook account once it has been verified, follow the usual social media precautions. This includes using a strong password, changing your password often, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), and reassessing your settings regularly using the security center. It's a good practice for managers to use a third-party authentication app to secure their personal Facebook account, as this helps secure the pages you manage.
Phishing emails and private messages are also common traps for Facebook pages, and verified pages are targeted by some of these scams. In this scam, you will receive a message or email pretending to be from Meta and claiming that you have violated community guidelines. If you click the link in this email you may end up giving control of your page to hackers. Carefully assess all emails and messages you receive to see who they're from, and make sure you don't click on any suspicious links, even those in messages that look like they came from Facebook or Meta.
Can I get verified without a business website?
Yes, a registered business can still get verified on Facebook even without a business website. It's easier to do this if you have a Google Business Profile to aid with third-party authentication. If you don't have this, you may still get verified if there are other external links, fan pages, or recent articles to prove your identity and legitimacy.
It will likely take longer for your profile to be authenticated without a business website, so expect a delay in the process.
Conclusion
A verified Facebook business page is a powerful way to improve your brand credibility and image as well as engage more of your target customers.
This important social media tool helps you protect your brand image and identity, manage your community, and protect against imposter accounts.
The process for claiming a verification badge is relatively easy, however Facebook's verification criteria are stringent and not always clear. It's important to plan your application and make sure you're fully ready to apply for the blue verification badge before you begin the process.
Following this guide and the tips above will increase your chance of gaining a verified badge on Facebook.
