Social media giant Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is preparing to launch a subscription service called Meta Verified, according to an announcement made by the company’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, on Sunday. The service, which will be similar to Twitter’s Blue subscription, will offer users a blue badge, additional impersonation protection, and direct access to customer support.
According to Zuckerberg, the subscription is aimed at increasing authenticity and security across the company’s services. The subscription service will be tested in Australia and New Zealand before being rolled out to other countries. The cost of the subscription will be $15 USD per month when users subscribe through the company’s apps on iOS and Android, and $12 USD per month on the web.
In order to sign up for Meta Verified, users will need to meet certain eligibility requirements. The subscription will only be available to users who are 18 years or older, and Meta will require potential subscribers to share a government-issued ID that matches the profile name and photo on their Facebook or Instagram account. Once verified, users will not be able to change their profile name, username, date of birth, or photo without going through the verification process again.
Meta Verified subscribers will also receive additional perks, such as 100 free stars, a digital currency that can be used to tip creators on Facebook, and access to exclusive stickers for use in Stories and Reels. The subscription will cover both Instagram and Facebook accounts.
The announcement of the Meta Verified subscription follows rumors that the company was preparing to trial a paid verification service. Social media consultant and former Next Web reporter Matt Navarra discovered that Meta had published an Instagram support page detailing the subscription, only to later take it down before Zuckerberg’s Instagram post.
The launch of Meta Verified is part of Meta’s ongoing efforts to increase security and authenticity across its platforms. The company has faced criticism in the past for its handling of user data and the spread of misinformation on its platforms. With the introduction of Meta Verified, the company aims to provide users with a more secure and authentic experience.
