Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has introduced a new paid verification service in the UK. Similar to Twitter Blue, spearheaded by Elon Musk, this service allows Facebook and Instagram users to obtain a blue tick on their profiles for a monthly fee starting at £9.99.
To be eligible for verification, subscribers must be at least 18 years old and provide a government ID for authentication. The service has already been launched in the US, Australia, and New Zealand, and will gradually roll out to UK users in the coming weeks.
Meta Verified offers users a verified badge that provides enhanced protection against impersonation. The company will actively monitor verified accounts to detect and address any fake or fraudulent profiles. Furthermore, verified users will have the privilege of receiving direct assistance from real people for any account-related issues they may encounter.
This initiative follows Elon Musk’s introduction of the Twitter Blue subscription service in November 2022. Twitter Blue caused controversy as it replaced the previous system of verifying high-profile accounts, leading to the removal of “legacy” verification ticks from many users. Musk’s approach reserved the verified blue badge solely for Twitter Blue subscribers who authenticated their phone numbers, resulting in confusion and instances of impersonation. Twitter later opted to restore blue ticks to selected celebrities, governments, and organizations at no cost.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has recently launched a paid verification service in the UK. This service, similar to Twitter Blue introduced by Elon Musk, allows users to obtain a blue tick on their profiles for a monthly fee starting at £9.99.
To qualify for the service, subscribers must be at least 18 years old and provide a government ID for verification. The feature has already been available in the US, Australia, and New Zealand.
Meta Verified offers users a verified badge, which provides additional protection against impersonation. The tech company will monitor verified accounts to identify and prevent fake profiles. Verified users will also have access to personalized support from a real person to address any account-related issues.
It is worth noting that Meta’s existing verification system for notable figures on Facebook and Instagram will continue to operate alongside the paid service. Public figures, celebrities, and brands can still apply for a verified badge based on the platforms’ account and eligibility requirements.
The decision to introduce a paid verification system represents a departure from the traditional free usage model of Facebook and Instagram, which have relied primarily on advertising revenue. By offering a paid tier that enhances user visibility, Meta aims to explore alternative avenues for monetizing its platforms.
This move comes after Meta announced significant job losses due to over-investment during the pandemic, highlighting the company’s efforts to adapt its strategy and seek new sources of growth and revenue.