Meta is introducing a testing paid verification service for Instagram and Facebook, which costs $11.99 a month on the web and $14.99 a month in mobile apps.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg declared on Instagram that users with a “Meta Verified” account will be rewarded with a verified badge, greater exposure on the platforms, expedited customer service assistance, and other advantages. This service is launching in Australia and New Zealand this week and is expected to extend to other countries shortly.
“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 writes. “This new feature is about increasing authenticity and security across our services.”
Meta Verified requires that you be 18 years old, have a government-issued ID matching your Facebook or Instagram account name and photo, and meet minimum activity criteria.
Meta Verified is distinct from Elon Musk’s Twitter Blue, which charges $8 per month; the former will not affect accounts that were already verified under the company’s earlier criteria, such as authenticity and fame.
Moreover, those who sign up for Meta Verified will receive exclusive stickers for Stories and Reels plus 100 free stars each month to award creators on Facebook.
The new service is launching in Australia and New Zealand this week for $19.99 AUD on the web and $24.99 AUD on the mobile, or $23.99 NZD on the web and $29.99 NZD on the mobile. It is likely that Apple and Google offset their commissions on in-app purchases by raising the cost on iOS and Android.
