Meta, under the leadership of Mark Zuckerberg, has decided to broaden the availability of paid verification badges to include business accounts.
This development will allow businesses to acquire a coveted blue checkmark badge, granting them access to exclusive features and enhanced support.
Earlier this year, Meta introduced “Meta Verified” for content creators, a subscription service priced at $12 per month.
Meta rolls out paid verification badges
Subscribers receive a blue checkmark badge, along with various benefits, such as priority customer support and protection against impersonation.
However, businesses will be required to invest a bit more for this verification privilege. On either Facebook or Instagram, the cost will be $22 per month, or $35 for access to both platforms.
This pricing represents an increase compared to the rates for content creators, which range from $12 to $15.
The feature is set to undergo testing on Facebook and Instagram in the coming weeks, with WhatsApp also planning to implement it.
Businesses that opt for paid verification will enjoy similar perks to content creators, including enhanced account security features and troubleshooting assistance.
Verified businesses can anticipate increased visibility in search results on Facebook and Instagram.
For businesses utilizing WhatsApp, this entails creating a discoverable landing page through web searches and facilitating engagement from multiple employees to assist customers.
Meta’s introduction of paid verification for businesses mirrors certain adjustments made by Elon Musk’s X (formerly known as Twitter).
At X, paying subscribers were given the option to obtain a blue checkmark for a monthly fee.
However, this system led to misuse, as some users impersonated brands, celebrities, and even religious figures, all sporting identical verified blue checkmarks.
Consequently, X introduced a feature allowing paid users to verify their identity using a government-issued ID.
It’s important to note that Meta’s verification for businesses will come with specific activity and security requirements, and applicants must demonstrate a legitimate connection to the business.