Image: Meta
Meta Verified, the company's paid verification program, goes live in the US. It costs USD 12 (around CAD 16) per month via the web or USD 15 (~CAD 20) on mobile to account for the in-app fees of both Apple and Google. Meta Verified brings features like a blue verification badge for both Facebook and Instagram, "proactive impersonation protection," and direct access to customer support.
Meta is also giving stars each month (which you use to tip Facebook creators) and extra stickers for Stories and Reels. The US version of this feature won't gain increased visibility in some parts of the app yet.
"We heard feedback that how this piece of the offering worked was causing confusion, so we’re taking the time to further explore its value and learn before we consider expanding this component outside Australia and New Zealand," a Meta spokesperson told Engadget.
Meta plans to explore more features as it continues to test the program. Meta Verified is already available in Australia and New Zealand. You will need to show a government ID that matches the name and photo on your account, and you'll need other eligibility requirements, including being 18 or older and having two-factor authentication enabled. You won't be able to change your profile name or photo, username, or date of birth unless you're willing to go through the verification process again. Any existing notable Instagram or Facebook account won't lose its blue checkmark.