Facebook and Instagram Testing Subscription Service for Account Verification and Customer Support
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is testing a new subscription service that will allow users to pay for account verification and direct customer support access.
Similar to Twitter's "Twitter Blue" program, "Meta Verified" will be available for $11.99 a month on the web version and $14.99 a month on iOS.
The service is set to launch next week in Australia and New Zealand, with plans to expand to other countries in the future. The blue badge that comes with "Meta Verified" will signify that a user's account has been verified as authentic by the company.
In recent years, social media platforms have been grappling with the issue of fake accounts and the spread of misinformation. Account verification is one way for companies to combat these issues by ensuring that users are who they say they are.
However, Facebook and Instagram's verification process has been criticized for being opaque and difficult to navigate. The new subscription service could be seen as a way for the company to monetize the verification process and make it more accessible to users.
In addition to the blue badge, "Meta Verified" subscribers will also have access to direct customer support, which could be an attractive feature for businesses and influencers who rely on the platforms for marketing and engagement.
The move towards a subscription-based model is not surprising, as many companies have been looking for new ways to generate revenue beyond traditional advertising. In fact, Facebook has been experimenting with subscription-based models for years, such as with its Facebook Watch platform for original video content.
However, the decision to charge for account verification and customer support access has raised some eyebrows. Some have questioned whether this move will create a two-tiered system where only those who can afford to pay for the subscription will have access to these features.
Others have pointed out that the subscription model may not be a sustainable solution for Facebook and Instagram. The platforms have faced increasing scrutiny and regulation in recent years, and it is unclear how long they will be able to rely on advertising revenue as their main source of income.
Regardless of the potential drawbacks, "Meta Verified" is an interesting development in the world of social media. It remains to be seen how successful the subscription service will be and whether other companies will follow suit.
For now, users in Australia and New Zealand will have the opportunity to pay for account verification and direct customer support access. The question is,
will they be willing to do so?
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