Meta rolls out monthly subscription service that benefits creators

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is currently testing Meta Verified, a monthly subscription service, according to an announcement made by its CEO Mark Zuckerberg. It is a new subscription bundle that includes that includes a verified badge that authenticates your account with government ID, proactive account protection, access to account support, and increased visibility and reach.

The testing will first start in Australia and New Zealand later this week to learn what’s most valuable before bringing Meta Verified to the rest of the world. Meta Verified is now available for direct purchase on Instagram or Facebook in Australia and New Zealand. Users can purchase a monthly subscription for US$11.99 on the web and US$14.99 on iOS and Android. 

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Subscribing to Meta Verified includes: 

• A verified badge, confirming user's account has been authenticated with a government ID and the user is the real person. 
• More protection from impersonation with proactive account monitoring for impersonators who might target people with growing online audiences.  
• Help when the user need it with access to a real person for common account issues.
• Increased visibility and reach with prominence in some areas of the platform– like search, comments and recommendations. 
• Exclusive features to express in unique ways. 

As Meta tests and learns, there will be no changes to accounts on Instagram and Facebook that are already verified based on prior requirements, including authenticity and notability.

According to the release, in the long run, Meta wants to build a subscription offering that’s valuable to everyone, including creators, businesses and its community at large. As part of this vision, Meta is evolving the meaning of the verified badge so it can expand access to verification and more users can trust the accounts they interact with are authentic.

Meta will also offer exclusive stickers on Facebook and Instagram Stories and Facebook Reels and 100 free stars a month on Facebook so users can show support for other creators. Meta Verified will only support users' real name on the profile. Once the profile is verified personal details such as profile name, username, data of birth or photo on your profile can't be changed without going through the subscription and verifications application process again. 

At this time, businesses are not eligible to apply for Meta Verified. 

This news came after Twitter's recent launch of Twitter Blue (at US$11 per month). According to Channel News Asia, Snap Inc's Snapchat and Telegram has launched paid subscription services in 2022 as well. 

On a separate note, Meta recently put up a blogpost stating that it will no longer enable advertisers to target ads at teens based on gender. Come February onwards, Meta says that age and location will be the only information about a teen that will be used to show them ads.

“Age and location help us continue to ensure teens see ads that are meant for their age and products and services available where they live,” it said.

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