Meta, the parent company of Facebook, revealed its “blue-tick” verification service, called “Meta Verified”, to provide Facebook and Instagram users with the envied blue verification badge.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced this new feature in an Instagram update Sunday morning. The paid subscription feature, which will roll out next week, will enhance the authenticity and security of its services.
“This week, we’re starting to roll out Meta Verified — a subscription service that lets you verify your account with a government ID, get a blue badge, get extra impersonation protection against accounts claiming to be you, and get direct access to customer support.” Zuckerberg wrote.
He added, “This new feature is about increasing authenticity and security across our services. Meta Verified starts at $11.99/month on the web or $14.99 / month on iOS. “We’ll be rolling out in Australia and New Zealand this week and more countries soon.”
Users must verify their identity and pay a monthly fee of up to $15 to obtain this badge. Initially, Meta had granted the blue verification badge to notable users like politicians, executives, musicians, athletes, and press members, but now it’s making it accessible to a wider range of audience.
The company’s new subscription service is similar to the one introduced by Elon Musk on Twitter, which also grants users a verification badge if they pay a monthly fee. After launching the updated Twitter Blue subscription service in December, Musk said the new feature would give “power to the people,” and be a “great leveler.”
Businesses are not currently eligible to apply for the new paid verification subscription service.