I Cancelled Instagram Verification — Then Got It Again for KES 87 (Here’s Why)

Instagram is currently running a verification promo in Kenya where you can get verified for as little as KES 87 bob for the first month, then after the first month, you are supposed to pay KES 1,319 for the basic plan.

There are other plans, which include Plus, Premium, and Max, but in this article, I am going to focus on the basic plan because that is the one that I am using right now.

Recently, I stumbled across a strange loophole that lets you keep paying just KES 87 a month for the basic verification checkmark despite it clearly being marketed as a one-time introductory offer. 

It’s the kind of thing that makes you pause and ask, “Wait… how is this still working?” Let’s break down what’s really going on.

How the Meta Verified Google Play Loophole Works

Let’s be real, there was absolutely no way I was going to drop KES 1,319 a month just for a blue checkmark. So, after grabbing the first month for KES 87, I went straight to the Google Play Store to cancel. 

When it asked why I was leaving, I clicked 'It's too expensive' and finished the cancellation. 

But here's the funny part: when I opened Instagram and checked my verification settings, the KES 87 offer was sitting right there again! I immediately resubscribed, and it worked just like it did the very first time.

Are There Any Risks to This Instagram Verification Pricing?

While the KES 87 price for Instagram verification in Kenya feels like a great deal, it raises questions about its sustainability and potential risks.

It is important to keep in mind that Meta holds absolute control over Instagram’s pricing, meaning this Ksh 87 could change at any time without any warning.

Also, what appears to be a repeatable loophole might actually be a quiet market test, a temporary promotional push, or a temporary billing inconsistency between Google Play and Meta’s servers.

There is no guarantee this pricing will remain viable. Once Meta concludes their testing and patches the bug, users will likely be forced to pay the full premium rate or lose their verification badge instantly.

At the end of the day, this looks more like those pricing experiments that tech companies quietly roll out and adjust over time. It might for now, but I wouldn’t rely on it sticking around; if anything, it is something to take advantage of while it lasts, not a long-term workaround you can work on.

When Will Meta and Google Fix This?

As of writing this article, the patch hasn’t been fixed yet. I paid KES 87 again recently, and these tech giants usually patch regional billing loopholes silently through server-side updates once they notice a drop in expected recurring revenue.

I am not sure if I am the only one riding the glitch, but if you are like me, we'll likely be caught in an inevitable audit. For now, enjoy it while it lasts.

Conclusion

The KES 1,319 a month sounds incredibly tempting. Meta will eventually fix the patch with an update. There might be fears of accounts being suspended or banned, but that is rare. Meta usually bans for impersonation, Bots/Spam, Fake engagement, and fraudulent payments, not the normal subscription cycling.

Do you think wil issue bans or just quietly patch the bug? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section.