CEM REPORT, ICT | Meta is set to charge users for verification on two of its social media platforms.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram has revealed plans to roll out a subscription charge for its verified users.
The social media giant stated that the verification blue badge for its users will now cost $12 a month.
The new subscription service will begin to roll out this week according to the company.
Announcing the introduction of the subscription service on Sunday via his Facebook and Instagram pages, CEO, Mark Zuckerberg said that the baseline $12 charge applies to web and Android users. iPhone users will pay $15 monthly to own the blue badge.
He added that the service will be rolled out this week starting in Australia and New Zealand, while more countries are to start getting the service soon.
The move which is similar to that of Elon Musk when he took over Twitter last year, says will increase authenticity and security across the service.
“This week we’re starting to roll out Meta Verified — a subscription service that lets you verify your account with a government ID, get a blue badge, get extra impersonation protection against accounts claiming to be you, and get direct access to customer support.
“This new feature is about increasing authenticity and security across our services. Meta Verified starts at $11.99 / month on web or $14.99 / month on iOS. We’ll be rolling out in Australia and New Zealand this week and more countries soon.
Why iPhone Pays More
Apple takes a 30% cut from revenue off apps hosted on the apple store and operated by the iOS platform, the operating system for iPhones and iPads.
The same increased charge is implemented by Twitter which currently charges Android users $8 per month for its blue subscription, while iPhone users pay $11.
Recall that Meta laid off about 11,000 workers last year, this has the company has been struggling with revenue since the world began to exit from the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The company’s revenue for Q4 2022 stood at $32.17 billion, a decrease of 4% while full-year revenue declined by 1% year on year to $116.61 billion.
Zuckerberg during Meta’s earnings calls earlier this month reiterated his commitment to returning the company to profitable growth, saying: “We’re going to be more proactive about cutting projects that aren’t performing or may no longer be as crucial, but my main focus is on increasing the efficiency of how we execute our top priorities.”
