Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has launched a new paid subscription service called Meta Verified. The service will allow users to verify their accounts and get a blue badge in return, which indicates that their account is authentic. The new feature is designed to increase authenticity and security across Meta’s services.
Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, announced the new product in posts on his Facebook page and Instagram broadcast channel on 19 February 2023. The subscription service will start at $11.99 per month on the web and $14.99 on iOS. The initial rollout will begin in Australia and New Zealand in the coming week.
Requirements for getting verified
Users must provide a government ID and pay the subscription fee to verify their accounts. In addition to the blue badge, subscribers will receive “extra impersonation protection” and direct access to customer support.
Meta Verified takes inspiration from Twitter Blue, which also offers a paid verification service. Twitter’s move to offer paid verification has been controversial, but Meta is following suit.
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What to expect?
According to screenshots shared by social media consultant Matt Navarra on Twitter, Meta Verified on Instagram will also offer prioritization in comments, recommendations in the Explore feed and Reels tab, and exclusive Story stickers. However, these features were not mentioned in Zuckerberg’s announcement, and it needs to be clarified when or if they will be rolled out.
It remains to be seen whether users will take up Meta Verified or reject this type of monetization. Twitter’s paid verification service has faced criticism for creating a two-tiered system, where verified accounts are seen as more important or trustworthy than unverified accounts. Meta Verified could face similar criticism.
However, Zuckerberg has stated that the new feature is about increasing authenticity and security across Meta’s services. Verification badges are useful for identifying legitimate accounts and reducing the risk of fraud or impersonation.
Meta’s announcement of Meta Verified is a significant move for the social media giant. The paid subscription service with a verification badge is being projected as a step to increase authenticity and security on the platform. Still, how users will respond to the new feature remains to be seen.