Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has initiated the rollout of its first paid verification service, testing users’ willingness to pay for features that were previously free. The service is being piloted in Australia and New Zealand before being introduced to larger markets. It is priced at $11.99 on the web and $14.99 on iOS and Android mobile platforms.
The verified badge service will provide users with protection against impersonation, direct access to customer support, and increased visibility, all of which require the submission of a government-issued ID. According to a company spokesperson, the rollout of “Meta Verified” will be gradually implemented and is expected to reach 100% availability within the first seven days of the rollout.
The implementation of Meta Verified is aimed at increasing authenticity and security across the social media platforms. Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, explained in a statement on Facebook and Instagram that the service is aimed at offering enhanced protection to users against impersonation and security breaches.
The move not only serves to boost user security, but it also provides Meta with an opportunity to generate more revenue from its two billion users. The growing number of creators, influencers, and online personalities who depend on social media platforms for their livelihoods may be potential users of the verification service. Many of these users have experienced technical and administrative problems that have resulted in lost revenue.
As of the launch of the service, some users in Sydney have reported that Meta Verified was not available to them, indicating that there may be some initial challenges in the rollout. Nonetheless, the introduction of a paid verification service is an important milestone for Meta as it seeks to diversify its revenue streams and find new ways to engage with its user base.
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