New Meta Verified Subscription Service to Offer Blue Checkmark to Instagram and Facebook Users

Meta, the parent company of social media giants Facebook and Instagram, has recently announced the launch of a new subscription service called Meta Verified. This service will allow users to add the coveted blue checkmark to their Instagram and Facebook accounts for a monthly fee. This move is seen as Meta tapping into a new revenue stream and creating an alternative to its competitor Twitter's mixed success with its own subscription service. 

Meta Verified will be rolling out first in New Zealand and Australia this week and will cost users $11.99 a month to verify their identity with a government-issued ID card. The subscription also promises “increased visibility and reach, improved protection against impersonation attacks and direct access to customer support.” According to Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, the subscription service is set to expand to more countries in the future. 

The subscription service marks a shift by Meta to diversify its revenue stream, as it was previously heavily reliant on advertising profits, which have taken a hit in recent years due to Apple's privacy updates. The blue checkmark, with its associated trust and authenticity, has long been coveted by many users. Snap, Twitter, and now Meta offer their own version of the blue checkmark as part of a subscription service. Twitter revamping its service last year and has converted over a million users into paid customers. 

While the blue checkmark has previously been reserved for public figures and celebrities, Musk, who purchased Twitter last year, has recently argued that the feature should be open to all. The accounts of those that attained the blue tick mark without signing up for Twitter Blue will eventually be stripped of the feature. Meta has promised that accounts that are already verified based on prior requirements will not be affected by any changes as they test and learn. 

In conclusion, despite facing some harsh market reactions to its grand metaverse vision, Meta is pushing forward with its efficiency and profit plans and is now looking to create a more viable subscription offering. With Meta Verified, they are looking to expand the access to verification and ensure that users interact with authenticated accounts, which should benefit the company in the long run.