Meta Verified is a subscription service that makes it easy for anyone to gain access to the previously elusive blue check badge on Instagram and Facebook. So, how does it work, what does it cost, and who can apply?

Read on for everything you need to know about this new Meta verification option.

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What is Meta Verified?

Meta Verified is a subscription bundle for creators on Instagram and Facebook. It includes:

• account verification (including the blue check badge)
• account impersonation protection
• exclusive stickers
• expanded reach
• and access to human support agents

A Meta Verified subscription costs $14.99/month when you sign up on iOS and Android. Or, you can pay $11.99/month by signing up through the web. (The web option is only available for Facebook).

For now, Meta Verified is only available to individuals, not brands.

By contrast, the original verified badges on Instagram and Facebook were – and still are – specifically available to public figures, celebrities, and brands. These types of accounts can still apply for the original style of verification if they are notable (for example, they appear in news stories or are household names).

The Meta Verified badge and the verified badge for notable accounts look the same. They both get the familiar blue check mark. Both types of verification indicate that the account has gone through a verification process.

However, the original style of verification badge (which is free) does not include the extra benefits included with the Meta Verified bundle. An individual who has the original style of verification as a notable profile can apply to Meta Verified to access the other components of the subscription.

The TL;DR version is that there are now two ways to get verified badges on Facebook and Instagram:

1. If you are a celebrity, public figure, or well-known brand, you can request a verification badge on Instagram or Facebook.
2. If you are an individual, you can apply for Meta Verified once it’s available in your area.

So what’s the deal with social networks charging for verification?

Instagram head Adam Mosseri said in a Reel that Meta views these types of premium subscriptions for exclusive features as an industry-wide trend. He named YouTube, Reddit, and Discord as other social platforms with premium subscription plans.

But remember the chaos that ensued when Twitter launched a similar plan? That’s likely why Meta launched Meta Verified with a small trial – and why the program is for now only open to individuals, rather than brands.

And since the Meta Verified process includes checking your name and photo against your government-issued photo ID, there should be fewer issues with illegitimate verified accounts.

When Meta Verified launched in late February, it was available only in Australia and New Zealand. Adam Mosseri said the program would expand “hopefully quickly” to other countries, including the United States. And it looks like things are going according to plan. Less than a month later – on March 17 – Mosseri announced on his Instagram channel that Meta Verified is available in the U.S.

Similarly, it sounds like the program will eventually expand to all accounts, rather than being limited to individuals. The Meta for Creators announcement of Meta Verified says:

“Long term, we want to build a subscription offering that’s valuable to everyone, including creators, businesses and our community at large.”

Who can get Meta Verified?

The requirements to apply for Meta Verified are:

• Your account must represent a real individual person, not a company or brand.
• You must be 18 years or older.
• You must live in Australia, New Zealand, or the United States.
• You must not violate the Terms of Use or Community Guidelines on Instagram or the Terms of Service or Community Standards on Facebook.
• Your profile must use your full real name, which must match the name on your government-issued ID.
• Your profile photo must show your face, which must match the photo on your government-issued ID.
• You must enable two-factor authentication.
• You must have a prior posting history (i.e., you cannot apply for a brand-new account).

You can join the waitlist to get a notification when Meta Verified becomes available in your region.

The benefits of getting Meta Verified

Remember, Meta is promoting Meta Verified as a subscription bundle, not just a verification plan. So, what are the components of the bundle you get for that monthly subscription fee?

Verified badge

Source: Meta

As the name suggests, Meta Verified includes a verification process. After checking your government ID to confirm your identity, Meta will provide you with a verified badge.

This badge looks exactly the same as the verification badge given to “notable” accounts.

Protection from impersonation

Meta Verified includes “proactive account monitoring for impersonators who might target people with growing online audiences.”

Meta hasn’t specified how this works, but we can take an educated guess that they will be using their extensive AI resources on this front.

Regarding its existing efforts to combat fake accounts on Facebook and Instagram, Meta says:

“Our investments in machine learning technology are critical to help us detect faster … We balance machine learning with a trained team of experts who review and take action on violating content.”

These resources will likely also be applied to the Meta Verified proactive account monitoring plan.

Access to support agents

Yes, you’ll get access to real human support agents, offering live chat support. Meta says this account support will address “most common issues.”

Requests for access to customer support are a constant theme in comments left on anything Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg posts to his profiles. For creators, this could be a game-changer.

Stickers and stars

Meta Verified users get access to exclusive Stories stickers on Facebook and Instagram. There are also exclusive Reels stickers on Facebook.

On Facebook, you also get 100 stars every month to “support other creators.” For each star you send to another creator, Facebook pays them $0.01USD.

Increased reach

The specifics are not yet clear, but Meta says participants in the Meta Verified program will get increased “visibility and prominence” in Facebook and Instagram comments, search, recommendations, and suggested accounts.

They specify that this expanded reach will make the biggest difference for those who do not already have a large number of followers, noting:

“Subscribers with a smaller following may see a more noticeable impact to their reach since their audiences are smaller.”

To benefit from the increased reach, your content still has to follow the recommendation guidelines. It’s also still a good idea to understand the Facebook algorithm and the Instagram algorithm to maximize your reach.

How to get Meta Verified in 5 steps

Applying for Meta Verified is quite simple. You can do it from the Instagram app, the Facebook app, or the Facebook web interface.

Method 1: Apply for Meta Verified from the Instagram or Facebook app ($14.99/month)

Source: Meta

1. Open Instagram or Facebook, and from your profile, open Settings.
2. Tap Accounts Center, then tap Meta Verified.
3. If your account is eligible for Meta Verified, it will say Meta Verified available. Tap the relevant account name, review the list of benefits, then tap Continue.
4. Set up or confirm your payment method and tap Pay now.
5. Complete the verification process and upload a photo of your ID. Your ID must match the profile name and photo on the Instagram or Facebook account.

Method 2: Apply for Meta Verified from the Facebook web interface ($11.99/month)

1. From the Facebook profile you want to verify, click the three dots icon on the right of the top menu.
2. Click Subscribe to Meta Verified.

Verification of your account can take up to 48 hours.

Once you’re verified, you cannot change the username, profile name, date of birth, or photo on your account (unless you want to re-do the verification process).

Remember that Meta Verified is for now only available in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, so if you live outside those areas you will not yet see the option to sign up. Instead, join the waitlist.

Note: Although it’s called “Meta Verified,” you still have to apply (and pay) separately on Instagram and Facebook if you want to verify accounts on both platforms.

Meta Verified FAQs

What is Meta Verified?

Meta Verified is a subscription verification program for Instagram and Facebook bundled with other benefits including live chat customer support and protection against account impersonation.

Can anyone be Meta Verified?

For now, Meta Verified is available to individuals aged 18 or over in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. You must use your real name on your profile, and that name must match your government ID.

How do you get Meta Verified on Facebook?

To join Meta Verified from Facebook, click the three dots icon in the top menu of your profile and then click Subscribe to Meta Verified.

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The post What is Meta Verified? Everything You Need to Know in 2023 appeared first on Social Media Marketing & Management Dashboard.