Meta introduces free Facebook verification badge for users

California (Web Desk): Meta had announced in February 2023 that Instagram and Facebook users would be able to obtain a verified account, commonly known as the blue tick, by paying a monthly subscription fee.

The paid Meta Verified service has since been rolled out in many countries, allowing users to subscribe for account verification and additional features.

The company has now introduced a new free Facebook verification programme, making it easier for users to confirm that their profiles belong to real people without paying a subscription fee.

Under the new system, verification is based on a facial recognition selfie and a comparison with the user's existing Facebook profile photos.

According to Meta, the verification process takes only a few minutes to complete.

The programme is available only to users aged 18 years or older.

Once a user successfully completes the selfie verification, a verification badge will appear next to their profile name across various Facebook services and features.

Unlike the paid Meta Verified subscription, this badge is not a blue tick. Instead, it simply confirms that the profile belongs to a real person.

Meta clarified that the badge does not indicate that the individual is notable, trustworthy or officially endorsed.

The new verification badge is available free of charge, giving eligible Facebook users an easy way to verify the authenticity of their profiles.