Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg today announced that the company is rolling out Meta Verified to Instagram and Facebook in the US. The subscription service, which first launched in Australia and New Zealand last month, allows users add the coveted blue check mark to their Instagram and Facebook account. accounts for a monthly fee. Meta Verified costs $11.99 per month on the web and $14.99 per month on mobile.
“Meta Verified is rolling out in the US today,” Zuckerberg said Friday on the Meta Channel on Instagram. “You can get a badge, proactive protection against phishing, and direct access to customer support.”
You can join the waiting list to sign up for the subscription service online starting today. In addition to the monthly fee, you will have to be at least 18 years old. You must complete the verification process and provide a government-issued photo ID to confirm your identity before being approved for a Meta Verified subscription. Two-factor authentication is also required. Meta Verified subscribers will not be able to change their profile name, photo, username, or date of birth unless they are willing to complete the verification process again.
Meta Verified comes with exclusive stickers on Facebook and Instagram Stories and Facebook Reels, along with 100 stars per month on Facebook so you can show your support for other creators.
Image Credits: Goal
Meta told TechCrunch in an email that it has seen “good results” in its initial testing in Australia and New Zealand and is reflecting on some early subscriber feedback. For context, a Meta Verified subscription in Australia and New Zealand includes increased search visibility and reach, comments, and recommendations. Meta heard feedback from users who said this offer was confusing, so the company plans to explore the offer further before considering expanding it outside of Australia and New Zealand.
Zuckerberg is borrowing from Elon Musk’s playbook with the new Meta Verified offering. After Tesla’s CEO acquired Twitter last fall, the social network debuted paid verification for $8 per month through its revamped Blue subscription service. Unlike the Twitter playbook, though, users who are already verified on Instagram and Facebook won’t have to pay for their verification. Musk has promised to get rid of legacy verification badges, but hasn’t done so yet.
The blue check mark has been a coveted symbol on social media platforms, as it was previously only available to public figures such as politicians, actors, musicians, athletes, and journalists. Musk has fought against this idea, arguing that blue checkmarks should be open to everyone.
Although Meta has chosen not to charge its clients for most of its services since its founding, it is clear that things are changing. It’s worth noting that Meta and Twitter aren’t the only companies to introduce subscription services, as Snap launched its own subscription service last year, through which it has converted 2.5 million users into paying customers. .
To get started with Meta Verified, you need to navigate to your settings on Instagram or Facebook and then click on “Account Center.” If the subscription service is available for your account, you will see “Meta verified available” under your name and profile picture. Next, you need to select your preferred payment method for your monthly plan and then complete the verification process.
