What Does Verification Mean on Social Media?
While blue checkmarks have been reserved for public figures and known businesses, times have changed and for some social media sites a verified badge is just a few dollars away. But what does a verified badge mean on each platform and how can you get one?
In the beginning, Twitter’s blue checkmarks were provided to businesses, organizations and individuals who were active, notable, and authentic in key fields like government, politics and journalism. Starting April 1, 2023, Twitter changed the criteria and made these checkmarks available only to those who subscribe to Twitter’s premium service, Twitter Blue. For $8/month or $84/year, subscribers who are active on the platform can get access to a blue check on their profile in addition to an edit tweet button and the option to upload higher quality and longer videos.
Facebook and Instagram
For Facebook and Instagram, there are two options for getting verified. First, users can apply for badges as public figures, celebrities or brands and then must be evaluated on several factors to support the badge. If you are notable, authentic, complete and unique online, your brand, business or client will most likely earn a badge.
The second way is via Meta Verified, which was introduced to the U.S. market on March 17, 2023. Meta Verified aims to help creators expand their online presence on Instagram and Facebook by providing a verification badge, impersonation protection and additional customer service access.
Subscribers of the service must be over 18 and provide a government ID matching their profile name and users in the U.S. can get the perks of Meta Verified for $11.99 per month on the web and $14.99 on mobile devices.
For LinkedIn, the verification badge means something a bit different. An unpaid badge option will soon be available for select LinkedIn users, allowing them to prove their identity and their workplace CLEAR, a service that uses biometrics over traditional ID for verification. You have likely seen the CLEAR service offered while going through TSA at the airport.
While only available to Microsoft Entra users now, a Microsoft software used by more than 4,000 companies that protects, monitors and audits access to critical assets, I won’t be surprised to see LinkedIn eventually roll out profile badges that all users can display to prove their identity.
Is a verification badge right for your business? Reach out, we’re happy to talk more about it.
