Facebook Parent Company, Goalon Sunday, it announced that it is testing a new subscription service called “Meta Verified” that would allow Facebook and Instagram users to pay to have a verified account.
According to the company, Meta Verified would be available for direct purchase in Australia and New Zealand starting this week.
The company said it would cost $11.99 on the web and $14.99 on iOS and Android.
The new development comes months after Twitter announced the relaunch of its monthly charge blue check mark. Twitter had announced in December last year that the platform would start charging $8 per month for web users and $11 for iPhone users for its blue check mark.
In a blog post on Sunday, Meta said it will begin testing the new offering called Meta Verified, a subscription package on Instagram and Facebook that includes a verified badge that authenticates accounts with a government ID, proactive account protection, access to account support and increased visibility and reach.
“We’ll start a phased trial in Australia and New Zealand later this week to see what’s most valuable, and hope to bring Meta Verified to the rest of the world soon.
“Meta Verified is available for direct purchase on Instagram or Facebook in Australia and New Zealand starting this week. People can purchase a monthly subscription for (USD) $11.99 on the web and (USD) $14.99 on iOS and Android,” the company said.
ALSO READ: Nigeria offers three-year bonds at 9.35% interest rate
He said that while they test and learn, there will be no change to Instagram and Facebook accounts that are already verified against the above requirements, including authenticity and notability.
“In the long term, we want to create a subscription offer that is valuable to everyone, including creators, businesses, and our community at large. As part of this vision, we are evolving the meaning of the verified badge so that we can broaden access to verification and more people can trust that the accounts they interact with are authentic,” he added.
The company said it would also offer “exclusive stickers” on Facebook and Instagram stories and Facebook Reels and 100 free stars a month on Facebook so users can show their support for other creators.
He noted that companies are not eligible to apply for Meta Verified at this time.
“At this time, Meta Verified will only allow your real name on your profile. Once your profile is verified, you cannot change the profile name, username, date of birth, or photo on your profile without going through Meta Verified’s verification request and subscription process again,” he said. .
To be eligible, the company said accounts must meet minimum activity requirements, such as previous posting history, and be at least 18 years old.
“The applicants must then submit a government ID that matches the profile name and photo of the Facebook or Instagram account they are applying for.
“Subscriptions will include proactive monitoring for account impersonation,” it said.
In November of last year, Meta announced it was laying off more than 11,000 of its employees, cutting the company’s workforce by about 13 percent, amid falling advertising revenue and a macroeconomic downturn.
The company’s share price fell more than 70 percent in 2022 before a rebound and in July it reported its first drop in revenue, according to The Guardian.