What you need to know
- Meta Verified is a new subscription bundle currently in development.
- New verified badges appear next to dedicated features on Facebook and Instagram accounts.
- It is currently being tested and will be rolled out in Australia and New Zealand.
- Pricing is $11.99 for web and $14.99 for iOS.
On Sunday, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg announced a paid subscription service that charges Facebook and Instagram users for verified badges. It’s called Meta Verified, and it seems to help “creators establish a presence” on the platform.
The company is currently testing Meta Verified, a new subscription bundle that includes verifying users with a badge right next to their account name. It sounds very familiar because another popular social media platform launched Twitter Blue last year with very similar functionality. This is thanks to its new owner, Elon Musk.
Previously, Facebook and Instagram users obtained verified status depending on parameters such as visibility, work, and popularity. This included celebrities, brands and big names on Facebook, Instagram and even his Twitter before the new Twitter Blue subscription.
Now, Meta is following in Twitter’s footsteps to strengthen user authentication. Individuals on Facebook and Instagram can now earn verified badges by verifying their accounts with a valid government ID.
However, the new subscription bundles don’t just include the Verified badge. Users benefit from proactive account protection, access to account support, and increased visibility and reach. This is especially useful for up-and-coming creators.
Here is the full list of what you can expect with the new Meta Verified verification bundle.
- Verified badgeverify that you are who you say you are and that your account is verified with a government ID.
- Enhanced protection against spoofing We actively monitor accounts for impersonations that may target people with growing online audiences.
- help me when i need it For general account issues, you can reach out to a real person.
- Increased visibility and reach It stands out in some areas of the platform, such as search, comments, and recommendations.
- exclusive features Express yourself in a unique way.
According to Mehta, current verified accounts on Facebook and Instagram will remain unchanged. However, the company hopes to use this initial test to “build a subscription service that is valuable to everyone, including creators, businesses and the community at large.”
In an accompanying blog post, Meta said the new subscription bundle will begin testing phases in Australia and New Zealand later this week. Users can purchase the bundle as a monthly subscription for $11.99 on the web and $14.99 for iOS users. No word on Android devices at this time. By comparison, Twitter Blue costs $8/month on the web and $11/month on mobile.
