When Did Meta Verified Launch?

Meta’s newsroom post “Testing Meta Verified to Help Creators Establish Their Presence” was first published on 19 February 2023. It says Mark Zuckerberg announced a paid subscription bundle for Instagram and Facebook, tested first in Australia and New Zealand. A second post, first published on 19 September 2023, announced the same idea for businesses.

What did Meta announce in February 2023?

The post describes Meta Verified as a subscription bundle on Instagram and Facebook. It lists:

• A verified badge, confirmed with a government ID.
• Proactive monitoring for accounts that impersonate you.
• Access to a real person for common account issues.
• Increased visibility and reach in some areas, such as search, comments and recommendations.
• Exclusive features, such as stickers.

At launch, the test price was listed as $11.99 USD a month on the web and $14.99 USD a month on iOS and Android. A footnote says businesses were not eligible to apply “at this time”. So the first version was aimed at creators.

How did the rollout widen during 2023?

Meta added dated updates to the same post:

• 17 March 2023: the test expanded to the US. Meta removed increased reach as a subscription feature “for now”.
• 16 May 2023: available in the United Kingdom.
• 31 May 2023: available in Canada.
• 7 June 2023: available in India, with Brazil to follow.
• 27 June 2023: Meta said it was excited to begin rolling out Meta Verified to most markets globally over the coming months.

The post’s header also shows 27 June 2023 as its last update date. Treat “most markets” as Meta’s wording: the post does not list every market. Check your own account to see whether you can subscribe.

When did Meta Verified come to businesses?

The business post is dated 19 September 2023. It says Mark Zuckerberg announced at Meta’s Conversations Conference in Mumbai that Meta Verified would expand to businesses on Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp. Testing was to begin in select countries for Instagram and Facebook, with WhatsApp “in the future”.

The post’s updates add:

• 2 October 2023: testing with businesses in New Zealand.
• 30 October 2023: expanded to Australia and Canada.
• 28 August 2024: Meta says Meta Verified is now available to businesses globally, with four subscription plans.

The launch price for businesses was listed as starting at $21.99 USD a month per Facebook Page or Instagram account, or $34.99 USD a month for both. The post’s footnote says subscribers who advertise with Meta already receive the account support benefit. Neither post describes a change to how ads are delivered or priced.

What do Meta’s help pages say now?

Meta’s current help page lists four business plans: Standard, Plus, Premium and Max. It names an Instagram professional business account and a Facebook business Page as the supported accounts. It says plans, benefits and availability may vary by region, by app and by account, and that you should start the subscription process to see what yours can get.

Meta’s own August 2024 update says the offering grew to four plans, so the 2023 prices and features are launch details. Use the current help page, not the 2023 posts, before you decide.

FAQ

Did Meta Verified change how my ads run?

Neither launch post describes a change to ad delivery or ad pricing. The September 2023 post says subscribers who advertise with Meta already receive the account support benefit. If you notice a change in results, look at your own campaign data first.

Is Meta Verified required to advertise?

Neither launch post says it is required for advertising. The February 2023 post describes it as a subscription bundle you can buy, and the business post says it complements existing free and paid tools. Check Meta’s ad account requirements separately.

Who can buy Meta Verified for a business today?

Meta’s help page says business subscriptions cover Instagram professional business accounts and Facebook business Pages. It says availability varies by region, by app and by account. Start the sign-up process in your own account to see which plans Meta offers you.