Meta is starting to roll out its paid verification for Facebook and Instagram users in the US.
On Friday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg made the announcement on his Instagram channel. Interested users can sign up for the paid feature by going through a waitlist. Meta is also taking sign-ups through the Settings panel on Facebook or Instagram.
"Click ‘Accounts Center,' then ‘Meta Verified.' If it’s available for your account, you will see ‘Meta Verified available’ under your name and profile photo," the company said.
The so-called “Meta verified” program adds a blue checkmark to a user's Facebook or Instagram account, indicating that the profile is legit. The blue badge was previously reserved for brands, celebrities, and public figures, making it a status symbol that could also elevate a profile's reach. But now Meta is following Twitter and opening up the verification to all users, so long as they pay.
On the down side, the blue checkmark isn’t exactly cheap. The company is charging $11.99 per month (or $143.88 per year) for users who sign up over the web. Customers who subscribe via iOS or Android will have to pay even more at $14.99 per month, likely due to the Apple and Google app stores taking a commission.
In the announcement, Meta also noted: "We’re removing increased reach as a subscription feature for now, as we gather more feedback and further evolve Meta Verified."
The company adds: “To use Meta Verified on both Instagram and Facebook, you must subscribe on each app separately.” So it sounds like you might have to pay double if you want verification on both accounts.
Users must also submit a photo of their government ID to Meta and trust the company won’t mishandle the information. But after paying, the company says subscribers will enjoy additional perks, including “exclusive stickers on Facebook and Instagram Stories and Facebook Reels,” along with a direct channel to customer support and enhanced account protection from hacker attempts at impersonation.
The verification program promises to add a new revenue stream for Meta, which has recently embarked on two rounds of major job cuts. Prior to the US, Meta also rolled out the paid verification to users in Australia and New Zealand. Users residing elsewhere can also join the waitlist to learn when Meta Verified becomes available in their country.