Today, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed the U.S. launch of Meta Verified on Instagram and Facebook. The monthly subscription service debuted in Australia and New Zealand last month and lets users add the blue check mark to their Instagram and Facebook accounts. Meta Verified costs $11.99 per month online and $14.99 on mobile.
“Meta Verified is rolling out in the US today,” Zuckerberg said on the Meta Channel on Instagram on Friday. “Get a badge, proactive impersonation protection, and direct customer support.”
Join the subscription program waitlist online today. You must be 18 and pay a weekly fee. Meta Verified subscriptions require name verification and a government-issued photo ID. Two-factor verification is needed. Meta Verified subscribers must re-verify to alter their profile name, photo, username, or birthdate.
Meta Verified includes exclusive stickers on Facebook and Instagram Stories and Facebook Reels and 100 Facebook Stars a month to help other creators.
Meta told TechCrunch in an email that its initial test in Australia and New Zealand yielded “good results” and is considering subscriber input. Meta Verified in Australia and New Zealand boosts search, comments, and suggestions. Meta plans to investigate user comments that this offering was confusing before expanding it outside Australia and New Zealand.
Zuckerberg modeled Meta Verified after Elon Musk. Twitter introduced $8-per-month paid verification through its revamped Blue subscription program last fall after the Tesla CEO acquired it. Unlike Twitter, Instagram and Facebook-verified users will not have to pay for verification. Musk has vowed to eliminate legacy verification badges, but hasn’t.
The blue checkmark, previously only available to politicians, actors, singers, athletes, and journalists, has been coveted on social media. Musk has opposed this and pushed for universal blue checkmarks.
Meta has never charged for most of its services, but that’s changing. Snap launched its own subscription program last year, converting 2.5 million users into paid customers.
Click “Accounts Center” on Instagram or Facebook to start Meta Verified. “Meta Verified available” will appear under your name and profile photo if you can subscribe. Select your monthly plan payment option and verify.
