How to Get Your Facebook and Instagram Business Page Verified (and Protect It)

A practical guide to the blue tick for businesses in Tanzania, and the free protection steps that matter even more.

Fake pages using a real business’s name and logo are one of the most common scams we see in Tanzania. They copy your posts, run fake giveaways and ask your customers to send money. A verified badge helps customers tell the real page from the copies. Here is how verification works today, and what to do first.

What verification means now

Years ago, the blue tick on Facebook and Instagram was only for famous brands and public figures who applied and were selected. Today, most businesses get verified through Meta Verified for business, a paid monthly subscription. Meta checks that your business really owns the page or account, then adds the badge.

Depending on the plan, Meta Verified can also include impersonation protection, access to account support and other features. Meta says it is now available in most countries where its apps operate, but plans and prices differ by country. The only reliable check is your own account.

Step 1: Secure your page first (free)

Before paying for anything, make sure your page cannot be stolen. Most “hacked page” cases we handle could have been prevented with these steps:

• Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for every person who has access to the page.
• Move your page into a Meta Business Portfolio (Business Manager), so access is managed by the business, not one person’s profile.
• Remove old admins: former staff, old agencies and anyone who no longer needs access.
• Use a business email you control, not a personal Gmail of one employee.
• Never share login codes or click “verify your page” links in messages. Meta does not ask for your password in Messenger.

Step 2: Make your page eligible

Meta checks your page and business details before approving verification. Get these ready:

• A complete page: profile photo (your logo), cover photo, category, description, address, phone and website.
• A consistent business name that matches your documents. Avoid renaming your page right before or after verification.
• Regular activity on the page, and no recent policy violations.
• Business documents that prove your name and address, such as BRELA registration and a utility bill or bank statement.

Step 3: Apply for Meta Verified

1. Open Meta Business Suite on desktop, or the Facebook or Instagram app.
2. Look for Meta Verified in the business settings or the menu.
3. Choose the page or Instagram account you want to verify and pick a plan.
4. Upload the documents Meta asks for and complete payment.
5. Wait for review. If approved, the badge appears on your page.

If you cannot see Meta Verified in your account, the plan may not be available for your page yet. In that case, focus on the free steps above and the protection steps below.

Step 4: Keep watching for fake pages

A badge helps, but it does not stop people copying you. Search your business name on Facebook and Instagram every week, ask customers to report suspicious pages and make it clear in your bio which accounts are official. If you find a copy, follow our guide on how to get a fake page removed.

Key takeaways

• Most businesses now get the blue tick through Meta Verified, a paid monthly subscription.
• Secure your page first: 2FA for every admin, a Business Portfolio and no old admins.
• Complete your page and keep your business name consistent before applying.
• Have registration documents ready to prove your business name and address.
• Keep checking for fake pages, even after verification.

Frequently asked questions

Dealing with fake pages or a hacked account? See our digital brand protection service, trusted by the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange.

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