Meta wants to introduce the new feature "Meta Verified".
However, the feature could soon make some services chargeable.
Menlo Park – Whether Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp, Meta products are used worldwide.
Millions of people are in contact via the websites or apps, for many these social media have become an integral part of everyday life.
However, a fee may be due for this shortly.
Because of declining advertising income, Meta will soon be offering various services for a fee.
“Meta Verified”: Twitter principle will also apply to Facebook and Co.
You know it from the short message service Twitter: If you have a blue tick after your user name, your account is verified.
This means that the owner of the profile has identified himself on Twitter and is actually the operator of the user account.
Prominent fellow citizens in particular use this function to distance themselves from so-called fake accounts.
The company behind WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram now wants to offer a similar principle.
With "Meta verified" a subscription will soon be offered.
The good news first: The messenger service WhatsApp will probably not be affected.
The platform remains free for consumers, as it has been since 2013.
"Meta Verified": Everything about the new feature from the Facebook parent company
"We're testing Meta Verified, a new subscription package that includes account verification with identity protection and access to increased visibility and support," the company said on its website.
The new feature will be rolled out on Instagram and Facebook and, like Twitter, will include a "verified badge".
This not only gives the user "proactive account protection" and "access to account support", but also increases visibility and reach.
In particular, the large number of up-and-coming influencers – not least for financial reasons – should benefit from the feature.
A test of "Meta Verified" should already start in the current week.
First of all, they want to try to optimize the offer in Australia and New Zealand.
By the way, you want to provide the paid service in response to the great demand from users.
According to Meta, the costs are expected to be USD 11.99 (equivalent to EUR 11.22) for the web version and USD 14.99 (equivalent to EUR 14.03) for using the apps on iOS or Android.
“Meta Verified” in detail: The subscription should contain these functions
Verification
: An icon should prove the identity of the user.
This person must have previously authenticated themselves with their ID card at Meta.
Proactive account protection
: For paying customers, the company wants to monitor the accounts and thus protect against unauthorized access, especially by identity thieves.
Visibility and reach
: The accounts that use "Meta Verified" should be placed more prominently in the search, comment and recommendation areas.
Special features
: "To express yourself in a unique way", Meta, which wants to appeal to creative people in particular, wants to provide exclusive features.
Point of Contact
: Users who have general account issues are given the contact information of a "real person" who can help you directly.
Whether the feature offered for Instagram and Facebook is worthwhile is a case-by-case decision.
So far, Meta has already provided a number of options for ensuring identification and reach.
These functions should not become obsolete even "while we test and learn".
However, the group is already announcing that it wants to "build a subscription offering that is valuable for everyone" and therefore "further [develop] the meaning of the verified badge".
It remains to be seen to what extent customers who want to use their account to the full extent will be able to avoid costs in the future.
List of rubrics: © picture alliance/dpa/ZUMA Press Wire |
Andre M Chang
