Instagram and Facebook to charge monthly fees for verified accounts
Meta is testing a verification program that will charge users on Facebook and Instagram monthly paid subscription fees to have verified accounts, according to a company announcement on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for Meta said, “We’re beginning to test Meta Verified in Canada to help creators establish their presence and build community faster on our platforms. This subscription bundle on Instagram and Facebook gives creators broader access to verification and account support in English, and French in the coming days.”
“Meta Verified is available for direct purchase on Instagram or Facebook. Canadians can purchase a monthly subscription for (CAD) $15.99 on the web and (CAD) $19.99 on iOS and Android.”
Elon Musk appears to have started a trend when he began charging users $10 to $15 if they want to have a verified twitter account with a blue checkmark.
Social media experts said it's a logical next step for Meta to try and make money on its platforms by rolling out paid monthly subscriptions for verified accounts.
"I’m not surprised at all. We are entering a phase of paidification if we are going to be able to use the vast amount of information for free” said Mohit Rajhans, co-founder of Think Start Inc.
According to a statement, Meta Verified Features will include a verified badge, confirming you’re the real you and that your account has been authenticated with a government ID.
There will be more protection from impersonation with proactive account monitoring of people who might target accounts with growing online audiences. There’s also help when you need it with access to a real person for common account issues and exclusive features to express yourself in unique ways.
Getting help when problems arise on Facebook and Instagram has been a common complaint.
"With the new subscription bundle they will also get a live agent who will be able to work with you closely with the issues you are having with your account," said Janita Pannu, with OPIIA Digital Marketing Agency.
It's not clear how many of the millions of Canadians who use Facebook and Instagram will pay for a monthly subscription. It may make your account less likely to be hacked and keep your information safer, but it really depends on what you use the platforms for.
"If I was advising someone right now I wouldn't run out and start paying for this verification in order to validate myself. There is a lot of work that needs to be done to understand its value," said Rajhans.
Meta has already tested the paid subscription plan in New Zealand and Australia, but the company faces an uphill battle as Twitter is also having difficulty getting people to pay for something they can still use for free.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.