As a content creator or business, building a strong presence on social media is essential. Are you looking to stand out and earn the trust of your audience? Do you want to display the blue verified badge on Instagram and Facebook?
If so, this article is for you. Discover the value of the verification badge, its impact on your visibility, and learn how to get it through Meta Verified, Meta's innovative subscription offering. We also walk you through what to do if your application is rejected.
The verification badge is a symbol of a profile's authenticity, distinguishing genuine public figures, celebrities, and brands from impersonators. Getting this badge is no easy feat: it requires meeting specific criteria and going through a process that is often complex.
That's where Meta Verified comes in, designed to simplify access to the badge and provide benefits to those who influence and shape the platforms. We'll cover its features, pricing, eligibility requirements, and strategies for a successful application. Ready to become Meta Verified? Read on to find out how.
Understanding the verification badge
The verification badge is a small blue symbol that appears next to an account's name on Instagram and Facebook. This mark confirms that the account represents a recognized public figure, celebrity, or brand, and that it has been authenticated by the social media platforms. Thanks to this badge, it's easy to distinguish official accounts from impersonators or parody accounts.
Why is getting this badge so important? Because it boosts your credibility and online visibility. It plays a key role in growing your follower count, deepening community engagement, extending your digital reach, and improving your search engine ranking. It also unlocks access to special features such as filters, stickers, polls, and fan badges.
How do you get the verification badge? You have two options: either subscribe to the paid Meta Verified plan, which guarantees the badge after verifying your identity, or submit a standard verification request. The Meta Verified subscription requires an official ID and guarantees the badge, while the standard request is free but depends on a specific set of eligibility criteria, with no guarantee of success.
What are those eligibility criteria for the verification badge? Facebook specifies that your account must comply with its terms of use and community standards, and must be authentic, unique, complete, and notable. This means being a verifiable entity, having only one active account, having a public profile with a photo, bio, and at least one post, and having a certain level of notoriety or significant public interest.
How do you submit a standard verification request? A practical guide: go to your account settings, find and click "Request Verification." Fill in the required fields with your name, username, account category, and ID (national ID, passport, driver's license, etc.). You'll then receive a notification letting you know whether your request was approved or rejected.
Comparison with other platforms that have introduced subscriptions
Meta is not the first to offer paid subscriptions. Other platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) have already adopted this approach, with subscriptions starting at $7 per month, offering identity verification and additional features. Spotify is another example, offering ad-free listening and improved audio quality for 9.99 euros per month. These services have proven they can retain their users by delivering added value compared to their free offerings.
The verification request process
Getting the verification badge is critical to establishing your presence on Meta's social platforms. But what's the process for obtaining it? There are two main methods to consider: subscribing to Meta Verified or submitting a standard verification request. We'll break down the pros and cons of each option and the steps to follow.
Meta Verified: the paid, guaranteed method
Meta Verified is a paid subscription that guarantees the badge in exchange for a valid form of identification. It's the most direct and fastest way to get the coveted blue badge on Facebook and Instagram. In addition to the badge, this option includes extra benefits such as exclusive stickers, dedicated customer support, and enhanced security measures.
The cost of Meta Verified is 13.99 euros per month if you subscribe via a web browser, or 16.99 euros per month if you subscribe through the mobile app. You're free to cancel your subscription at any time, but doing so means losing the verification badge and its associated benefits. To sign up, go to your Instagram or Facebook account settings and select Meta Verified. If your account is eligible, an "Available" indicator will appear. You'll then need to set up your payment method and prove your identity using an official document and, in some cases, a video selfie. After completing these steps, the badge will be assigned to you within 24 hours.
The standard verification request: the free but uncertain method
Unlike Meta Verified, the traditional verification request costs nothing, but success is not guaranteed and is subject to strict eligibility criteria. Your account must be authentic, unique, complete, and notable, while complying with the platforms' terms of use and community guidelines.
To submit a standard verification request, go to your profile settings on Instagram or Facebook and select Request Verification. You'll be asked to enter your name, username, professional category, and a valid government-issued ID. You'll then be notified by push notification whether your request was approved or denied. Processing time can vary depending on the volume of requests, and no direct contact with the verification team or formal appeal process is officially available. If rejected, you'll need to wait 30 days before submitting a new request.
After the request: what to do if it's rejected?
You've just received a rejection notification following your verification request. You're probably wondering why it happened and how to improve your chances of getting the verification badge. Here are clear explanations and practical tips to better understand the situation and bounce back effectively.
Possible reasons for rejection
A rejection can happen for various reasons related to eligibility criteria or failure to comply with platform rules. These include:
- Your account is not authentic: no proof that you represent a real person, an official organization, or that you use your real name.
- Your account is not unique: multiple similar accounts exist, or the account represents a concept that is too broad.
- Your account is not complete: profile is incomplete, missing a photo, bio, or posts, or the account is deactivated.
- Your account is not notable: insufficient notoriety or recognition by a broad audience, with no significant media presence.
- Your account violates the terms of use: behaviors contrary to platform standards or use of fraudulent means to gain popularity.
Steps to take after a rejection
To turn things around after a rejection, here are some concrete actions to take:
- Confirm your identity: provide a valid ID and make sure the names match.
- Polish your profile: write a complete bio, add a professional photo, publish quality content, and link to your other online presences.
- Boost your visibility: work on your audience, engagement, and reach, develop a distinctive style, and seek media coverage.
- Comply with platform standards: strictly follow platform rules and avoid any unethical behavior.
- Wait 30 days: that's how long you must wait before submitting a new request. Use this time to optimize your profile and online image.
If waiting 30 days feels too long or you're unsure whether you meet the eligibility criteria, the Meta Verified solution is worth considering. In exchange for a valid ID and a subscription fee, this paid method guarantees the badge, along with unique features and dedicated support.
Meta's other paid subscription: going ad-free
Meta, the parent company behind Facebook, Instagram, and soon Threads, has unveiled its plan for Europe: the introduction of a paid subscription for users who want to stop seeing ads. This move comes in response to increasing regulatory pressure from the European Union around the protection of citizens' personal data and the reduction of targeted advertising as enabled by retargeting audiences.
Meta's introduction of a paid subscription is not just a regulatory concession but also an attractive business growth opportunity. Facing a crisis in the advertising sector that is undermining its free model, Meta is looking to diversify its revenue streams. The price of this ad-free subscription for Instagram and Facebook is set at 9.99 euros per month for desktop use and 12.99 euros for mobile apps on iOS and Android.
One big question remains: will Meta's paid subscription negatively affect small businesses and advertisers who rely on social media for promotion?
Meta is reassuring, stating that advertising will remain available to non-subscribers. The company also commits to supporting small businesses with tools and educational programs to refine their online strategy. However, some experts are concerned: they believe that the paid subscription could limit the reach and effectiveness of advertising campaigns, depriving advertisers of a portion of their target audience and the associated valuable data. This is why it will be more important than ever for advertisers to run highly optimized campaigns to reach an increasingly limited audience. In that vein, we've put together an article on the 10 best Meta Ads agencies to work with to optimize your campaigns. You can also read our article on the key metrics to track when analyzing your ad creative performance on Meta.
Conclusion
In this article, we covered what the verification badge represents, its value, how to obtain it through Meta Verified or a standard verification process, and what steps to take if your application is rejected.
The verification badge symbolizes credibility and visibility on social media platforms. It sets you apart from competitors and builds trust within your community. The badge also opens the door to exclusive features such as filters, stickers, polls, and fan badges, among others.
To get this badge, you have two paths: opt for Meta Verified, a subscription service that guarantees the badge upon presentation of a valid ID, or submit a standard request, which is free but subject to stricter and less certain eligibility criteria.
If you want to secure the verification badge in a fast and straightforward way, Meta Verified seems like the ideal option. In addition to the badge, you'll enjoy exclusive benefits and direct customer support. Note, however, that canceling the subscription results in the loss of the badge and associated perks.
Alternatively, if you prefer a cost-free approach, you can try the traditional verification request. This will require complying with the platforms' terms of use and community guidelines, and demonstrating that your account is authentic, unique, complete, and notable. A rejection means a 30-day waiting period before trying again.
You should also know that Meta has introduced another paid subscription allowing users to browse without seeing ads. This subscription was created in response to regulatory pressure from the European Union in its drive to protect personal data.
Don't wait: choose the approach that fits your needs and go after that verification badge. It could well transform your social media presence!
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FAQs
Q: What is the verified badge on Instagram?
A: The verified badge on Instagram is an important validation icon that appears next to the username on a profile. It officially certifies that the account represents the public or business entity it claims to be. To apply for this badge at no cost, your account must meet specific eligibility conditions and criteria.
Q: How do you get the blue badge on Instagram and Facebook?
A: To get the coveted blue badge on Instagram, subscribe to Meta Verified for a monthly fee of 16.99 euros if you sign up via smartphone or 13.99 euros on desktop. You can then submit your certification request. Meta will carefully review proof of your identity and notoriety. Note that only public, authentic, unique, and recognized accounts can qualify for certification through the free standard method.
Q: When did Meta Verified become available in France?
A: Subscribing to Meta Verified unlocks the verification badge on Facebook and Instagram. This paid service launched in France in July 2023.
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