How Much Does Meta Verified Cost?

Meta Verified is a new subscription service from Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook) that offers users a verified badge, enhanced support, and increased visibility on Instagram and Facebook. But how much does it cost to subscribe? This article examines Meta Verified's pricing structure, included features, eligibility requirements, comparisons to other platforms' verification systems, and overall value to help you decide if it's worth it.

How Much Does Meta Verified Cost?

Meta Verified costs $11.99 (≈48 minutes of continuous work at a $15/hour job) per month if subscribing directly via the web. However, signing up through the iOS or Android apps costs $14.99 (≈1 hour of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour) monthly due to Apple and Google's app store fees.

Regional pricing adjustments also apply based on currency and taxes. For example, Australians pay $20.99 (≈1.4 hours spent earning money at $15/hour) AUD per month via web.

Critically, you must subscribe separately for each platform. Verification on Instagram does not carry over to Facebook, and vice versa.

So full Meta verification for both Instagram and Facebook currently costs $27.98 (≈1.9 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job) per month if subscribing on mobile. There are no annual discounts.

According to the Instagram Help Center, Meta Verified subscription costs in the US vary depending on the platform and purchase method. For individual users, subscribing via the Instagram or Facebook app typically costs $14.99 (≈1 hour of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour) per month, while subscribing through Facebook's web version is slightly cheaper at $11.99 (≈48 minutes of continuous work at a $15/hour job) per month. If a user wants verification on both Facebook and Instagram, they must subscribe separately for each, potentially totaling about $27 to $30 (≈2 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per month.

For businesses, Meta Verified offers subscription plans starting at $21.99 (≈1.5 hours of labor required at $15/hour) per month per Facebook page or Instagram professional account when purchased on desktop. Mobile purchases cost slightly more, around $27.99 (≈1.9 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job) per month per business asset. Businesses can also opt for bundled subscriptions covering both Facebook and Instagram for about $34.99 (≈2.3 hours of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour) per month on desktop. Meta plans to expand Meta Verified subscriptions to WhatsApp for businesses in the near future, though pricing for WhatsApp has not yet been announced [Sinch] [Meta Official].

The subscription includes benefits such as a verified blue checkmark, enhanced account protection, impersonation monitoring, and access to customer support. Businesses must undergo a multi-step verification process before subscribing, and once verified, changes to profile details require a new review [Sinch].

What is Meta Verified?

Launched in 2022, Meta Verified provides a blue verification badge and additional benefits to subscribing users on Instagram and Facebook. It aims to:

• Verify real users and public figures
• Reduce impersonation and fake accounts
• Provide access to customer support
• Increase profile visibility and reach

Unlike previous free verification for celebrities and brands, Meta now charges individual creators for verified status and associated perks. It does not cover business accounts.

What's Included?

Main features and benefits included with Meta Verified across Instagram and Facebook are:

• Blue verification badge on your profile, boosting legitimacy
• Increased placement in search, hashtags, comments, and recommendations to improve discoverability
• Exclusive creative tools like custom Story stickers for verified users
• Identity verification to confirm your true identity and prevent impersonation
• Direct access to live support through chat, email, or phone to quickly resolve account issues
• Proactive impersonation monitoring with notifications about duplicate accounts trying to clone you

The combination of the prestigious blue badge, improved visibility, priority support, and protection against fakes aims to enhance the experience for creators and their audience.

Meta Verified Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Meta Verified, users must:

• Be 18+ years old
• Provide a valid, unexpired government ID matching the name on your account
• Have a profile photo clearly showing your face
• Enable two-factor authentication on your account

Applicants should also meet minimum activity requirements demonstrating regular use of Instagram or Facebook. Businesses remain ineligible - Meta Verified is focused on individual creators and public figures.

Submitting your sensitive ID for verification poses privacy concerns for some users. Meta claims information is securely stored and not shared.

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Meta Verified vs Other Platform Verification

Meta Verified represents a shift from previous free verification towards a paid subscription model. How does it compare to existing options?

• Instagram/Facebook - The new paid service replaces free verification that required meeting notability thresholds like follower count.
• Twitter - Also moved to a $7-$19 per month subscription verification system after previously being free. But more focused on brands.
• YouTube - Still provides free verification to channels meeting authenticity criteria like 100k+ subscribers.
• TikTok - Grants blue badges verifying real accounts for free using internal criteria. No self-service paid option exists currently.
• LinkedIn - Offers free verification for corporate accounts and individual professionals in certain fields.

Meta's approach contrasts with merit-based verification on other platforms. Critics argue it undermines trust and legitimacy without safeguards.

Security and Privacy Concerns

Requiring government ID submission raises some potential security and privacy questions among users:

• Is it secure? Meta states identity documents are encrypted and stored securely, not used for ads or shared externally. But some remain skeptical.
• Can you lose verification? Meta can revoke badges if users violate terms of service, commit fraud, or change personal info. Accounts stay active but lose verification.
• What happens if you don't pay? You simply revert to being an unverified standard user. No core functionality is lost.

Meta claims their trained review team and AI can properly validate real accounts from impersonators to maintain trust in verified badges.

Pros and Cons of Meta Verified

Is Meta Verified worth the monthly subscription cost? Consider some potential pros and cons:

Pros

• Increased trust and reach for creators
• Protects personal brand from impersonators
• Priority customer support access
• Exclusive profile customization and stickers
• Possible algorithm visibility boost

Cons

• Monthly fee may limit adoption for casual users
• Still requires separate purchase for each platform
• Privacy concerns over submitting ID for verification
• No guarantees of measurable growth
• Business accounts remain ineligible

For regular Instagram and Facebook users, Meta Verified may not provide enough incremental value to justify the costs. But creators focused on optimizing their presence may find the features worthwhile if used actively.

Who Should Subscribe?

While not universally necessary, Meta Verified may provide the most value for:

• Professional creators trying to establish brand authority within their niche
• Public figures who want to distinguish their real profiles from impersonators
• Thought leaders and professionals verifying their expertise
• Micro-influencers with small but dedicated followings who need support

For personalities relying on Meta's platforms as critical income streams, the benefits likely outweigh the reasonable costs. But more casual users may find little added value.

Final Words

Meta Verified provides a legitimate service identifying real accounts and giving creators and public figures elevated support, visibility, and brand protection. While optional for regular users, for Meta-focused creators building their personal brand and income stream, the benefits may justify the reasonable monthly costs. As Meta's platforms increasingly monetize and compete for talent, expect additions like Verified to help attract and retain creators through premium features.

Answers to Common Questions

What happens if you don't pay for Meta Verified?

If you stop paying, you simply revert to being an unverified regular user. No core account functionality is lost, but you'll lose the blue badge and other Verified perks.

Can I change my name after getting Meta Verified?

Yes, but you may have to reverify your identity if the name change is substantial. Minor variations are generally fine to maintain verification.

How long does it take to get Meta Verified?

Meta aims to verify accounts within a few days of successful application. However, the review process can take 1-2 weeks in some cases depending on volume. Patience is recommended.