Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has expanded its Verified program to India after successful testing in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
The program aims to generate revenue beyond traditional digital advertising, which was impacted by the global economic downturn and Apple’s privacy policy changes.
Pricing and Features of the Meta Verified Program
Initially, Meta planned to offer the program at higher monthly fees but has now reduced the prices to Rs 699 per month on Android and iOS, and Rs 599 on the web.
As Meta opens up the waitlist for Verified, following Twitter’s subscription service ‘Blue,’ it brings several features to users, including a verified badge, proactive account protection, and access to account support.
Users must provide a government ID for verification, applicable to both Instagram and Facebook accounts. Account support is currently available in English, with plans to expand to Hindi in the future. Users can join the waitlist for the web version of the service.
Unlike Twitter, Meta will continue to maintain its existing legacy badges for accounts that meet specific criteria. The expansion into India is based on positive results from early testing in multiple countries.
Eligibility and Other Details
To be eligible for Meta Verified, accounts must meet minimum activity requirements, and users must be 18 years or older. They need to submit a government ID matching their profile name. Proactive monitoring for account impersonation is included, and some users may need to provide a selfie video for authentication.
Currently, businesses cannot apply for Meta Verified, and existing verified accounts will retain their status. Meta aims to create a subscription offering that benefits creators, businesses, and the community. The company wants to redefine the meaning of verified accounts to enhance trust in the authenticity of user interactions.
Meta is committed to taking action against users attempting to evade its systems and will monitor and address reported violations promptly.
Unlike Twitter’s approach, Meta will not differentiate between badges for Verified program users and those with legacy badges. However, follower counts will be displayed to distinguish well-known accounts, and Meta is exploring additional ways to differentiate such accounts.
The Verified program is part of Meta’s strategy to diversify revenue streams beyond digital advertising challenges and provide a valuable subscription offering for creators, businesses, and the community.
