Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has announced it is testing a new subscription service called ‘Meta Verified’ that would allow Facebook and Instagram users to pay to have a verified account.
According to the company, the Meta Verified would be available for direct purchase in Australia and New Zealand starting later this week.
The company said it would cost $11.99 on the web and $14.99 on iOS and Android.
The new development comes months after Twitter announced the relaunch of its monthly charge blue verification mark. Twitter had in December last year announced that the platform would start charging $8 a month for web users and $11 for iPhone users for its blue verification mark.
In a blog post on Sunday, Meta said it will begin testing the new offering called Meta Verified, a subscription bundle on Instagram and Facebook that includes a verified badge that authenticates accounts with a government ID, proactive account protection, access to account support, and increased visibility and reach.
“We’re starting with a gradual test in Australia and New Zealand later this week to learn what’s most valuable, and we hope to bring Meta Verified to the rest of the world soon.
“Meta Verified is available for direct purchase on Instagram or Facebook in Australia and New Zealand starting later this week. People can purchase a monthly subscription for (USD) $11.99 on the web and (USD) $14.99 on iOS and Android,” the company said.
It said as they test and learn, there will be no changes to accounts on Instagram and Facebook that are already verified based on prior requirements, including authenticity and notability.
“Long term, we want to build a subscription offering that’s valuable to everyone, including creators, businesses and our community at large. As part of this vision, we are evolving the meaning of the verified badge so we can expand access to verification and more people can trust the accounts they interact with are authentic,” it added.
