Meta, the parent company of social media giants Facebook and Instagram, has announced that users on both platforms will now have the option to pay for a verification badge.

The announcement was made on February 19, 2023, and the service will cost $11.99 per month [$14.99 on iOS]. The feature will first be rolled out in Australia and New Zealand before becoming available in other regions.

Meta Company Announces Paid Verification Badge Service for Facebook and Instagram Users

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The verification badge is a symbol of authenticity on social media platforms and indicates that a real person, brand, or organization operates the account. In the past, verification badges were only given to high-profile accounts that met specific eligibility criteria, including having a significant number of followers and being of public interest.

However, with the new paid verification badge service, any user on Facebook or Instagram can purchase a verification badge for their account. The new service has been launched with the aim of providing users with a greater sense of security on the platforms, as it will help to differentiate between real accounts and fake ones. It will also provide an opportunity for smaller businesses and individuals to have their accounts verified, who may have previously struggled to meet the eligibility criteria.

The paid verification badge service has already sparked controversy on social media, with many users criticizing the move as a way for the company to make money off of its users. Some have also expressed concern that it may lead to an increase in fake accounts attempting to gain legitimacy through the purchase of a verification badge.

In response to these concerns, Meta has stated that it will continue to monitor accounts to ensure that they meet the platform's community standards and that the verification badge will not be given to accounts that violate its policies. 

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Meta has said in order for a user to be eligible their username and account name will need to match their government-issued ID.

Here are some comments from users:

So, the launch of the paid verification badge service comes at a time when Meta is facing increased scrutiny over its handling of user data and privacy concerns. However, the company has stated that the new feature is unrelated to these issues and is solely aimed at improving the user experience on its platforms.


Update:

Meta introduce verified features on last Wednesday.

In conclusion, the new paid verification badge service for Facebook and Instagram users is set to provide users with a greater sense of security on the platforms, as it will help to differentiate between real accounts and fake ones.

However, its launch has also raised concerns about the potential for abuse and the monetization of user accounts. As the feature is rolled out, it will be interesting to see how it is received by users and how it impacts the overall social media landscape.