Social media has become a powerful tool for individuals and businesses to connect and share information with their audiences. With so much content on the internet, it can be difficult to distinguish what is genuine and what is not. This is where the Facebook blue badge comes in - a symbol of authenticity and credibility. The blue badge is a verification badge that appears next to a Page or Profile name on Facebook, indicating that Facebook has confirmed that the Page or Profile is authentic.
The Facebook blue badge is typically given for free to Pages or Profiles that are in the public interest, including public figures, media companies, brands, celebrities, journalists, and government officials. In general, the blue badge is designed to indicate that Facebook has confirmed the authenticity of the Page or Profile and that it belongs to the person or organization it claims to represent.
Mark Zuckerberg has recently announced a new offering called Meta Verified. It would allow Facebook and Instagram users to have a verified account for a fee. Meta said it would cost US$11.99 on the web and US$14.99 on iOS and Android.
According to Meta, this offering is designed to help creators grow their presence and build community on Instagram and Facebook faster. This offering will be available as a subscription bundle and includes a verified badge that authenticates the account with a government ID, proactive account protection, access to account support, and increased visibility and reach.
The initial testing of Meta Verified will be in Australia and New Zealand, starting later this week. The goal is to understand what features are most valuable before bringing the offering to the rest of the world.
One of the main requests from creators is for broader access to verification and account support, as well as features to increase visibility and reach. Meta Verified aims to provide these services through a paid offering. The subscription will include a verified badge, more protection from impersonation with proactive account monitoring, help from a real person for account issues, increased visibility and reach, and exclusive features to express oneself in unique ways.
To be eligible for Meta Verified, accounts must meet minimum activity requirements and be at least 18 years old. Applicants are required to submit a government ID that matches the profile name and photo of the Facebook or Instagram account they're applying for.
The subscription will also include proactive monitoring for account impersonation. Meta is committed to continuously monitoring and reviewing reported violations and taking swift action against those who try to evade their systems.
Meta Verified will not affect accounts on Instagram and Facebook that are already verified based on prior requirements, including authenticity and notability. Meta wants to build a valuable subscription offering to everyone, including creators, businesses, and the community.
For now, Meta Verified will only support the real name on a profile. Once a profile is verified, the profile name, username, date of birth, or photo cannot be changed without going through the Meta Verified subscription and verification application process again.
Meta Verified will also offer exclusive stickers on Facebook and Instagram Stories and Facebook Reels, as well as 100 free stars a month on Facebook to show support for other creators.
Meta's goal is to expand access to verification and ensure that people can trust the accounts they interact with are authentic.
To apply for Meta Verified, you must meet certain requirements and complete the verification process. If you are from Australia or New Zealand, here's how to apply:
1. Ensure that your account meets the minimum activity requirements, such as having prior posting history and being at least 18 years old.
2. Go to the verification page on either Instagram or Facebook and click "Get Started."
3. You must then submit a government-issued ID matching the profile name and photo of the Facebook or Instagram account you're applying for.
4. After submitting your ID, Meta will review your application and notify you of their decision via email or in-app notification.
If your application is approved, you must pay for the Meta Verified subscription to access the benefits, including the verified badge, account protection, and account support.
It's important to note that once your profile is verified, you must go through the Meta Verified subscription and verification application process again before changing your profile name, username, date of birth, or photo.