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A new subscription feature called Meta Verified will now charge users ~$12 per month to get a verification badge and other premium features on Facebook and Instagram. This follows the recent rollout of the new Twitter Blue as a monthly subscription.

Previously, it was free to be verified on Facebook and Instagram, but the feature was only available to public figures. Now, similar to the scheme employed by Elon Musk’s Twitter, anyone can become verified on the Meta apps—for a fee.

First Thing’s First: How Much Will it Cost?

Plans start at $11.99, but it depends on where you sign up:

• $11.99 on the web (Facebook only)

• $14.99 on iOS or Android

• Note: You must subscribe to Facebook and Instagram separately.

The reason for the different prices is because of app store fees. Similar to Twitter’s approach, Meta is shining a light on these fees by simply passing them on to the customer. However, you can bypass the fees by going straight to Facebook’s own website. Interestingly, though, this is not an option for Instagram (yet?).

The service is currently only available in Australia and New Zealand and is not yet available in all places or for businesses.

So, What Exactly Is Meta Verified?

According to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement, verified accounts will have access to added security features as well as direct access to customer support.

The primary benefits include:

• Verification – Show that your account truly represents the real you. During sign up, you will scan a government ID to prove that it’s really you.

• Increased reach – Gain more reach and visibility in app sections such as comments, search, and recommendations

• Proactive account protection – The plan will include “proactive account monitoring” and required two-factor authentication.

• Direct support – You’ll have access to real-live customer support staff.

• Exclusive stickers and other features – You’ll also receive 100 Stars per month “so you can show your support for other creators.”

What Else Do I Need to Know?

There is a lot of interesting financial context. As mentioned by NPR, Meta's stock prices have seen better days (not to mention the multiple rounds of layoffs). Plus, the company claims that the verification process is costly, so the new plan may be a way to cover some of those costs.

• There is also, of course, the ballooning cost of the company’s big bet on the metaverse.

• The company is also dealing with decreasing revenue following Apple’s privacy feature roll out.

Paying for social media seems to be a growing trend. The comparison with Twitter Blue is easiest, but there was also the somewhat surprising recent news that Snapchat has sold it’s paid subscription plan to over 2 million users.

The reaction to Meta Verified has been mostly negative. One article claims Facebook is copying “the worst parts of the airline industry” (The Atlantic), while another points out the increase in searches for deactivating your Facebook account following the announcement (Reader's Digest)—although that is perhaps predictable after every big Facebook update at this point, right?

• Still another—an opinion piece on th Washington Post—boils it down to simple racketeering: “Big Tech’s new business model is making you pay for security and basic customer service when you get hacked. That’s called a protection racket when mobsters do it.”

Some security experts are also concerned. According to Time, they say that paid security features will “create a two-tiered system of social media users.”

• Since nearly one-fifth of Americans experienced their social media accounts getting hacked within the first three months of 2022 (according to a Deloitte survey), this could be a serious concern.

On a brighter note: The concept is new, and there is still plenty of time for people to get on board and/or for the plan details to change. The company has also gained approval from some for moves such as allowing legacy accounts to keep their existing verification badges.

Why it Matters

The “what if” concept of “paying for Facebook” has been discussed since its earliest days, mostly to help explain the need for ads. Now, it’s actually kind of happening!

Of course, you’ll still see ads, though. 😉

If nothing else, the concept of paying for a “premium” set of social media features is catching on fast. We may see more social channels following suit soon.

Additional resources:

• Learn more (or join the waitlist) on the Meta Verified webpage.

• Visit the relevant Help Center articles for Instagram or Facebook.