After debuting its paid verification program “Meta Verified” in New Zealand and Australia in February, Meta has officially made the option available to Facebook and Instagram users in the United States. The announcement was made by the company’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Meta’s Instagram channel.
Users who opt to get Meta Verified will have a blue check mark on their profile and access to various other features.
“You can get a badge, proactive impersonation protection, and direct access to customer support,” said Zuckerberg.
Meta Verified costs $11.99 per month when purchased through the web and $14.99 for those who opt to get it via mobile. Aside from monthly payments, Facebook and Instagram users will be required to verify their profiles by submitting a government-issued ID with a photo and name that matches their account. There are also several other requirements, like being 18 or older.
It is important to note that the profiles that already have the blue check mark, which was previously reserved for celebrities and other public figures, won’t be required to reapply or pay for Meta Verified at the moment.
Several other social media platforms already have similar subscription-based programs. Snapchat has launched Snapchat+, which offers users some exclusive features for a monthly fee of $3.99, while Twitter charges $8 per month for its own verification program.