Meta has recently made a decision that some may find controversial, by announcing that it will be providing blue tick verification badges free of charge, allowing individuals to expand their audience and improve their reach. This feature will be included as part of the Meta Verified subscription plan, which was introduced by Mark Zuckerberg on the Meta Broadcast Channel in the previous week.
Facebook and Instagram users can now obtain a verified badge along with a few additional exclusive features by paying a monthly fee. This recent development resembles the revamped Twitter Blue subscription model, which includes the blue tick introduced after Elon Musk took over Twitter. On the web, it costs Rs 650 per month, and on Android and iOS, it is Rs 900.
Meta's objective, besides providing the blue checkmark, is to protect users from fake accounts, which can be prevalent, especially for accounts with a significant online presence. Another priority of Meta Verified is to redefine the significance of the verified badge, enabling more individuals to trust the accounts they engage with are authentic.
Subscribers will have easy access to the Help Center and the ability to receive assistance from a live person (as opposed to the current poor support) as well as exclusive stickers for Facebook and Instagram Stories and Reels, in addition to 100 free stars each month. According to social media expert Matt Navarra, Meta Verified users will appear in comments and recommendations on a priority basis.
To participate, users must be at least 18 years old and provide a government-issued ID. The name and photograph on the ID must match those on Facebook and Instagram. At present, the verification process for Facebook and Instagram is unclear, and there are no clear guidelines to determine what is beneficial in obtaining the blue checkmark.
Meta's objective, besides providing the blue checkmark, is to protect users from fake accounts, which can be prevalent, especially for accounts with a significant online presence. Another priority of Meta Verified is to redefine the significance of the verified badge, enabling more individuals to trust the accounts they engage with are authentic.
Subscribers will have easy access to the Help Center and the ability to receive assistance from a live person (as opposed to the current poor support) as well as exclusive stickers for Facebook and Instagram Stories and Reels, in addition to 100 free stars each month. According to social media expert Matt Navarra, Meta Verified users will appear in comments and recommendations on a priority basis.
To participate, users must be at least 18 years old and provide a government-issued ID. The name and photograph on the ID must match those on Facebook and Instagram. At present, the verification process for Facebook and Instagram is unclear, and there are no clear guidelines to determine what is beneficial in obtaining the blue checkmark.
This is presently being tested and is being introduced in Australia and New Zealand at a cost of $11.99 (~ Rs 990) per month on the web and $14.99 (~ Rs 1,200) per month on Android and iOS. The additional cost is probably intended to cover the app store fees charged by Apple and Google for in-app purchases.
Meta Verified will be available in more countries shortly, but it remains uncertain when it will be available in India. The idea of placing everything, including the once-prestigious blue tick, behind a paywall seems to be a new trend, and while some may appreciate it, others may not. What are your thoughts? Would you consider purchasing this if it becomes available? Let us know in the comments below.
Meta Verified will be available in more countries shortly, but it remains uncertain when it will be available in India. The idea of placing everything, including the once-prestigious blue tick, behind a paywall seems to be a new trend, and while some may appreciate it, others may not. What are your thoughts? Would you consider purchasing this if it becomes available? Let us know in the comments below.
Author
-Anurag