Meta Verified launches in India at monthly subscription of Rs 699

Meta has announced the launch of Meta Verified bundle for direct purchase on Instagram or Facebook in India.

With this, users can purchase a monthly subscription for Rs 699 on iOS and Android.

The tech company also said that in the coming months, it will also introduce a web purchase option for Rs 599 a month.

The company said, “We’re expanding our test of Meta Verified to India after seeing good results from our early testing in several countries globally. We’ll also continue honouring verified badges that were granted previously based on existing criteria.”

“To help up-and-coming creators grow their presence more quickly on our apps, in February we announced that we’ll begin testing a new offering called Meta Verified. It is a subscription bundle on Instagram and Facebook that includes a verified badge that authenticates your account with government ID, proactive account protection and access to account support,” the company said.

It went on to add that basis its initial test of Meta Verified in Australia and New Zealand, a few adjustments have been made to the offering based on learnings, including the removal of increased reach for additional test countries.

“This continues to be the approach for India. We’re exploring elements to add to the subscription as we roll out to more places and will share more when we’re ready,” it said.

With Meta Verified in India, users will get:

- A verified badge, confirming they are real and the account has been authenticated with a government ID.

- More protection from impersonation with proactive account monitoring for impersonators who might target people with growing online audiences.  

- Help when needed for common account issues. At the moment, support is available in English only, but it will be extended to include Hindi as well in the coming months.

The company also said that they will also retain the verified badge for accounts that were verified before the introduction of Meta Verified. These accounts passed through a set of criteria to confirm their authentic presence and may be more susceptible to impersonation than the average user.  “So, it’s important we maintain the verified badge to protect their accounts and the people that engage with them,” it said.

Meta went on to add that in the long-term, it wants to build a subscription offering that’s valuable to everyone, including creators, businesses, and the community at large.

It also shared the series of checks it has incorporated into Meta Verified before, during and after someone applies. 

- To be eligible, accounts must meet minimum activity requirements, such as prior posting history, and applicants must be at least 18 years old.

- Applicants are then required to submit a government ID that matches the profile name and photo of the Facebook or Instagram account they’re applying for. 

- Meta Verified subscriptions will include proactive monitoring for account impersonation.

“I think Meta Verified is quite a valuable proposition and is here to speed up the process of building a strong presence on Instagram and Facebook. For emerging creators who’re stretching the realms of the creator economy in India, this will provide a seal of legitimacy and security,” said Sahil Purakait, a Delhi-based creator.

“For the longest time, I’ve been wanting the verified badge. Account support is also a very common and frequent request from creators like me. Meta Verified, I feel, meets both these needs and I’m looking forward to it. I feel this provides more permanence to our presence on Instagram and Facebook, and can be the foundation to us building a large and loyal following,” said Sameer Quraishi, another Noida-based creator.

“The introduction of Meta Verified is a game changer for hard working content creators like me, as it provides an essential layer of authentication. With this, I can finally establish and protect my unique identity, ensuring that my culinary creations are rightfully attributed and celebrated,” said Fenn Shalom Roy, a Chennai-based creator.

The company also said that businesses are not eligible to apply for Meta Verified at this time. And those interested in purchasing on web can sign up to the waitlist through the Facebook Web Account Centre to be informed when it is available.