Meta’s business verification will cost nearly twice as much as individual verification.
Meta's business verification will cost nearly twice as much as individual verification.
Meta Expands Verified Service to Businesses on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp
Meta, the social media giant formerly known as Facebook, is expanding its paid verification service, Meta Verified, to businesses on its platforms. This announcement was made by Mark Zuckerberg during the company’s recent “Conversations” event. Previously, Meta Verified was only available for individual accounts on Facebook and Instagram, but now businesses will have the opportunity to get verified as well. However, it comes at a higher price compared to individual verification.
Meta Verified for Businesses: A Worthwhile Investment
For a single account, businesses will have to pay $27.99 per month for mobile sign-ups or $21.99 per month if the purchase is made via the web. If business owners sign up on the web, they can also bundle Instagram and Facebook verification for $34.99 per month. These prices may seem steep in comparison to the $12-15 per month that individual Meta Verified subscriptions cost, but Meta believes that the extra benefits are worth the investment.
Meta Verified offers businesses various advantages similar to Elon Musk’s X Premium. By subscribing to Meta Verified, businesses receive a checkmark and higher ranking in search results, along with a fast-track to customer support channels. They also gain “proactive” protection against impersonation. Furthermore, Meta plans to feature “Meta Verified businesses” in its in-app recommendations on Facebook and Instagram, providing additional exposure.
WhatsApp Integration and Benefits
Meta’s expansion of the Verified service will also include WhatsApp in the near future. Verified businesses on WhatsApp will enjoy some unique benefits. One of these is multi-device support for customer chats, allowing businesses to seamlessly engage with their customers across multiple devices. Additionally, businesses will have the ability to create a business page that appears in web-based search results, increasing their discoverability. However, Meta has not disclosed the cost of verified status for businesses on WhatsApp.
The Verification Process
Unlike Musk’s X Premium, Meta requires subscribers to verify their identities. This means that business subscribers must provide proof of their association with the business, either through a phone number or email domain. Subscribers are also required to opt-in to two-factor authentication and meet a minimum level of activity. Although Meta has not named the specific locations, it plans to make subscriptions available to business owners in select test countries initially. As for WhatsApp, the rollout of Meta Verified for businesses will happen at a later date.
Additional Enhancements for Businesses on Meta Platforms
In addition to the expansion of Meta Verified, the company revealed other updates to benefit businesses utilizing its messaging tools. WhatsApp’s in-app payments, currently available in Brazil and Singapore, will be expanded to merchants in India. This extension will enable credit and debit card payments, as well as integration with other apps like Razorpay.
Meta also introduced a new feature called “WhatsApp flows,” which allows businesses to create customized features such as appointment booking directly within in-app chats. This feature will be made available to WhatsApp Business users in the coming weeks, offering businesses greater convenience and functionality.
Meta’s commitment to providing additional tools and services for businesses on its platforms demonstrates the company’s understanding of their importance and increasing demand. With Meta Verified and the various updates to its messaging tools, businesses can enhance their presence, trustworthiness, and engagement with customers on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
