Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced over the weekend the upcoming launch of a new "Meta Verified" subscription service aimed at Facebook users, enabling verification for $11.99 per month on the web or $14.99 per month on the iPhone or iPad.
Pile of sugar described Meta Verified as a subscription that allows verification of an account with a government ID, awards a blue check, and provides "additional identity theft protection" against accounts "pretending to be you." It also offers "direct access to customer support, exclusive stickers. A press release describing the feature says it includes "access to increased visibility and reach." A full list of the features announced:
- A verified ID confirming identity is required.
- Better protection against identity theft with proactive account monitoring for identity thieves who may target people with a growing online presence.
- On-demand help with access to a real person for common account issues.
- Increased visibility and reach through prominent placement in certain areas of the platform – such as search, comments and recommendations.
- Exclusive features that allow you to express yourself in a unique way.
Facebook & Instagram: These are the advantages of the – now chargeable – blue tick
The service is designed to "increase the authenticity and security" of all Meta services and follows Twitter Blue, Twitter's $8-a-month subscription service that offers a blue checkmark and access to features like "Edit Tweet." Meta plans to offer the same verification process on Instagram. But separate subscriptions are required for each platform, so a person or business that wants to be verified on both Facebook and Instagram will have to pay separate subscription fees. Instagram and Facebook are currently funded by advertising. But changes like Apple's App Tracking Transparency could make advertising an unreliable source of revenue. Meta Verified will launch in Australia and New Zealand this week before expanding to other countries. Meta says there will be no changes for already verified accounts on Instagram and Facebook during the test phase. But the meaning of the verification badge will be "expanded." (Photo by DenPhoto / Bigstockphoto)
