Meta, the parent company of social media giants Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, is expanding its Meta Verified program to include businesses on all three platforms. This initiative, initially designed to enhance the credibility and visibility of creators, is now being extended to businesses, allowing them to authenticate their accounts, protect against impersonation, access account support, and utilize features to stand out on these social media platforms.
The expansion of Meta Verified will begin with a testing phase for businesses on Instagram and Facebook in select countries, with future plans to include businesses on WhatsApp. Meta Verified for businesses will offer a subscription model, providing businesses with valuable tools to establish a strong online presence and foster customer trust.
The subscription package will include the following features:
- Verified Badge: Businesses will receive a verified badge on their accounts, confirming their authenticity.
- Impersonation Protection: Proactive impersonation monitoring will safeguard businesses from fraudulent impersonations, enhancing brand protection.
- Account Support: Subscribers will have access to support services to assist with account issues.
- Improved Discoverability: Subscribers on Instagram and Facebook will be featured prominently as Meta Verified businesses, ensuring high visibility in search results and recommendations.
- WhatsApp Enhancements: WhatsApp business subscribers will gain premium features, including the ability to create a custom WhatsApp page discoverable through web searches and multi-device support for efficient customer communication.
Meta intends to offer a range of subscription features that cater to the needs of businesses, especially small enterprises looking to establish their brand and connect with new customers. As the company gathers insights from the initial testing phase, it plans to refine its offerings further.
Meta Verified business subscriptions will be available for purchase on Instagram and Facebook in the coming weeks in select test countries, with monthly subscriptions starting at $21.99 USD per Facebook page or Instagram account, or $34.99 USD for both platforms. Testing for WhatsApp businesses will be conducted in the future using the WhatsApp Business app before expanding to the WhatsApp Business Platform.
Meta has designed Meta Verified with a strong emphasis on security and authenticity. The verification process involves multiple steps and checks to ensure businesses meet eligibility requirements, validate their information, and prove their connection to the business. This approach is aimed at providing businesses with confidence in their brand protection and reassuring users that verified businesses are legitimate.
The expansion of Meta Verified for businesses aligns with Meta’s commitment to enhancing user experiences on its social media platforms while bolstering brand credibility and protection. This initiative is expected to provide businesses with valuable tools to thrive in the digital landscape.
Your Queries Answered:
Q1: What is Meta Verified for Businesses?
A: Meta Verified for Businesses is a new subscription service that will allow businesses to verify their accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. This will give businesses a blue checkmark next to their account name, which will help users identify them as authentic accounts.
Q2: What are the benefits of Meta Verified for Businesses?
A: The benefits of Meta Verified for Businesses include:
- A blue checkmark next to the account name will help users identify the business as an authentic account.
- Increased visibility in search results and recommendations.
- Access to direct account support.
- Proactive account protection.
Q3: How much does Meta Verified for Businesses cost?
A: Meta Verified for Businesses will cost $21.99 per month per Facebook page or Instagram account, or $34.99 per month for both.
Q4: How can businesses sign up for Meta Verified?
A: Businesses can sign up for Meta Verified by visiting the Meta Verified website.
Q5: What are the eligibility requirements for Meta Verified for Businesses?
A: To be eligible for Meta Verified for Businesses, businesses must meet the following criteria:
- Have a valid business license or other form of government-issued identification.
- Have a website or social media presence that represents the business.
- Have a minimum number of followers on Instagram or Facebook.
Q6: What happens if a business’s Meta Verified application is denied?
A: If a business’s Meta Verified application is denied, the business will receive an email with the reason for the denial. The business can then make changes to their account and reapply for Meta Verified.
Q7: Can businesses use Meta Verified to verify their accounts on all three platforms (Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp)?
A: Yes, businesses can use Meta Verified to verify their accounts on all three platforms. However, businesses must have a separate Meta Verified subscription for each platform.
Q8: What are the benefits of verifying a business’s WhatsApp account?
A: The benefits of verifying a business’s WhatsApp account include:
- Increased visibility in search results and recommendations.
- Access to direct account support.
- Proactive account protection.
- The ability to use a custom business name and logo.
- The ability to create and manage WhatsApp Business Profiles.
Q9: How can businesses verify their WhatsApp accounts?
A: Businesses can verify their WhatsApp accounts by contacting WhatsApp Business Support.
Q10: What are some of the potential drawbacks of Meta Verified for Businesses?
A: Some of the potential drawbacks of Meta Verified for Businesses include:
- The cost of the subscription.
- The eligibility requirements.
- The fact that Meta Verified is not a guarantee of increased reach or engagement.
Additional questions:
Q11: When will Meta Verified for Businesses be available?
A: Meta Verified for Businesses is currently in testing and is expected to be rolled out to all businesses in the coming weeks.
Q12: Will Meta Verified for Businesses be available in all countries?
A: Meta Verified for Businesses will be available in all countries where Meta Verified is currently available.
Q13: What happens if a business cancels its Meta Verified subscription?
A: If a business cancels its Meta Verified subscription, it will lose the blue checkmark next to its account name and access to the other benefits of Meta Verified.
Q14: What if a business has any questions about Meta Verified?
A: Businesses can visit the Meta Verified website or contact Meta Verified Support for more information.
Q15: How will Meta Verified for Businesses impact businesses?
A: Meta Verified for Businesses is expected to help businesses to establish their authenticity and to reach more potential customers. However, it is important to note that Meta Verified is not a guarantee of success. Businesses will still need to create high-quality content and engage with their audience in order to succeed on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
Q16: How will Meta Verified for Businesses impact users?
A: Meta Verified for Businesses is expected to make it easier for users to identify authentic business accounts on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. This will help to reduce the risk of users being scammed or exposed to misinformation.
Q17: What are some of the challenges that Meta will need to address in order to make Meta Verified for Businesses a success?
A: Some of the challenges that Meta will need to address in order to make Meta Verified for Businesses a success include:
- Ensuring that the eligibility requirements are fair and that the verification process is efficient.