Facebook and Instagram parent company, Meta, is testing a subscription service that would let users pay for a verified account complete with a blue badge. Similar to Twitter’s paid subscription service, the company said that the feature seeks to increase “authenticity and security” on the platforms.
WATCH: Meta announced it is launching a monthly subscription service, called Meta Verified, which will let users verify their accounts using a government ID and get a blue badge https://t.co/9ewVEUk0t6 pic.twitter.com/Zjk2jC2ckx
— Reuters Business (@ReutersBiz) February 20, 2023
The new service was unveiled via Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s social media accounts on Sunday. Subscribers will pay a monthly fee of $11.99 on the web or $14.99 on Apple and Android apps for blue badges.
With this update, Meta’s blue badges, which used to be free and reserved for notable figures and businesses, would not be accessible to anyone who can afford to pay the monthly fee and have their identity verified. According to the company, the service comes with extra protection against account impersonation.
Subscribers will also be able to directly access a “real person” in the form of customer support if they have inquiries, suggestions, or issues they need resolved.
In response to questions as to whether already verified accounts will be affected by the change, Meta said that accounts that were previously verified would not be required to pay the subscription fee. The company explained that the service is aimed at business owners, creatives, and low-profile influencers.
Meta Verified is, however, not without requirements. To qualify for the paid service, users have to be up to 18 years old and must be able to prove it with a government ID that matches the name and photo of the accounts. Accounts that seek to be verified must also meet a minimum level of account activity, such as amount of posts.
As he revealed in the posts, testing will begin in Australia and New Zealand this week before rolling out to other countries. The timeline for its introduction to other countries was not revealed.
This move by Meta comes after Zuckerberg said that the company would be launching products that aim to empower creators and boost their creativity and outreach.
Not only would the new blue tick service be helpful to creators and business owners who make a living on social media, but it will also boost Meta’s revenue amid an economic slowdown that has beset many companies.
