Instagram's blue tick has become a paid service

Meta Verified is a new exclusive subscription service for Instagram and Facebook that allows users of these apps to access the blue tick in exchange for a monthly payment of $12.

Meta is testing the payment verification feature on social networks Instagram and Facebook, similar to Twitter. According to Verge, payment verification is made by paying a monthly fee of $11.99. If you use your mobile device to purchase a subscription, the monthly cost will be $14.99. This price difference is due to the commission that Apple and Google receive from users on the App Store and Play Store.

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, says that Meta Verified accounts will have access to the verified (blue tick) badge. Subscribing to the monthly Meta service will make your algorithm more visible than ever and give you higher priority when communicating with Meta support. Payment verification is available this week in Australia and New Zealand and "soon" will be available in other countries as well.

In a statement from Meta, it reads, "This week we are launching the Meta Verified service. This subscription service allows you to verify your account and receive the blue badge using your national ID card." Mark Zuckerberg says the goal of releasing Meta Verified is to increase security on Meta platforms.

To register for Meta Verified, your account must meet prerequisites that have not yet been announced precisely. This service is only available to individuals who are at least 18 years old. According to Meta, those interested in the new subscription service must provide a valid national ID card that is compatible with their Instagram or Facebook profile name and image.

The new Instagram and Facebook subscription service is similar to Twitter Blue, costing $8 per month and giving its subscribers access to a verification blue badge. Unlike Twitter, Meta (Facebook) says accounts that have already received the blue badge will not be affected by any changes. Twitter has announced that all accounts that were previously verified under the old system will lose their blue badge if they do not purchase the new subscription service.

Individuals who purchase the Meta Verified service subscription will have access to an exclusive set of stickers for their Stories and Reels sections on Instagram and Facebook. Additionally, these users will receive "100 free stars" per month, which are digital currencies that can be used to financially support content creators on Facebook.

Mark Zuckerberg says that businesses cannot currently use the Meta Verified subscription service. Additionally, if you're looking to change your profile picture, name, username, or date of birth, you will need to go through the identity verification process again.