Meta introduces Meta Verified to help creators establish their presence

Facebook and Instagram are testing a new offering called Meta Verified, a subscription bundle that will help creators grow their presence and build community faster. The bundle includes a verified badge, proactive account protection, access to account support, and increased visibility and reach. The test will begin in Australia and New Zealand later this week, and the company hopes to bring it to the rest of the world soon.

The company has been thinking about how to unlock access to these features through a paid offering since last year. With Meta Verified, users will get a verified badge that confirms they are the real person behind the account and that the account has been authenticated with a government ID. The offering will also provide more protection from impersonation with proactive account monitoring for impersonators who might target people with growing online audiences. Additionally, users will get help when they need it with access to a real person for common account issues. Moreover, Meta Verified offers increased visibility and reach with prominence in some areas of the platform – like search, comments, and recommendations – and exclusive features to express yourself in unique ways.

Meta Verified will be available for direct purchase on Instagram or Facebook in Australia and New Zealand starting later this week. Users can purchase a monthly subscription for USD 11.99 on the web and USD 14.99 on iOS and Android. However, there will be no changes to accounts on Instagram and Facebook that are already verified based on prior requirements, including authenticity and notability.

Accounts must meet minimum activity requirements, such as prior posting history, and be at least 18 years old to be eligible for Meta Verified. Applicants are then required to submit a government ID that matches the profile name and photo of the Facebook or Instagram account they’re applying for. Subscriptions will include proactive monitoring for account impersonation. Facebook and Instagram are committed to continuous monitoring and review of reported violations, as well as taking swift action against those who try to evade their systems.

To learn more about Meta Verified, visit Mark Zuckerberg's Meta Channel on Instagram on your mobile device. However, businesses are not eligible to apply for Meta Verified at this time. The company is committed to evolving the meaning of the verified badge so they can expand access to verification, and more people can trust the accounts they interact with are authentic.

The company is building a series of checks into Meta Verified before, during, and after someone applies to ensure users' identity and accounts are safe and the people they're interacting with are who they say they are. The subscription offering will include 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.

It is important to note that increased visibility may vary depending on a subscriber's existing audience size and the topic of their posts. Subscribers with a smaller following may see a more noticeable impact on their reach since their audiences are smaller. All Meta Verified subscribers and their content must meet the company's Terms of Use and Community Guidelines. All content will be treated according to their existing guidelines for recommendations on Instagram or Facebook and their Content Guidelines.

At this time, Meta Verified will only support users' real name on their profile. Once a profile is verified, users cannot change the profile name, username, date of birth, or photo on their profile without going through the Meta Verified subscription and verifications application process again.