One of the biggest social media trends in 2023 is social media verification. Twitter, Facebook and Instagram have rolled out subscription-based verification. This feature allows companies, brands and people to get a checkmark next to their names and utilize a variety of other security measures.
However, many companies and brands find themselves wondering if it is worth paying for verification. Our Denver social media marketing services team is here to break down what verification is for each platform and the pros and cons of paying for it.
Twitter became one of the first platforms that allowed users to get a blue check mark for a monthly subscription. Users can get a checkmark by being subscribed to Twitter Blue. The cost of your Twitter Blue subscription depends on where you sign-up. For example, signing up on the website costs $8 per month, while signing up on iOS or Android will cost $11 per month for “access to subscribers-only features.”
However, just because you subscribe to Twitter Blue does not mean you automatically get it. To be eligible for a check mark, you need the following:
A complete account with a display name and profile photo
The account must be active in the past 30 days to subscribe to Twitter Blue
Your account must be older than 90 days upon subscribing and have a confirmed phone number
In case you didn't know, Meta is the parent company of Facebook and Instagram. Very similar to Twitter, it also launched a verification service. It was first introduced only in Australia and New Zealand, but this feature is now available in the United States as well.
The cost of a Meta Verification subscription is $14.99/month for iOS/Android and $11.99 on the web for Facebook only. The eligibility to get a checkmark on Facebook and Instagram is as follows:
Meet minimum activity requirements, such as prior posting history and be at least 18 years old
Submit a government ID that matches the profile name and photo of the Facebook or Instagram account you're applying for
One of the features that many companies should look at is security. This verification process can protect your account from impersonators. For Twitter and Meta, it gives you access to secure your account with two-factor authentication. At the same time, Meta goes a little further and provides proactive account monitoring from impersonation.
With the recent algorithm changes, it has become harder for businesses to get their posts seen on Facebook and Instagram. If you want to increase your account's visibility, then you should consider applying for verification. Meta's verification can help expand your reach with increased visibility and prominence in some parts of Instagram and Facebook.
The only major con, of course, is paying for the feature. It will require you to add this cost to your yearly social media budget. For some companies, this price is within reach, but for others, it is out of budget.
At Denver Media Group, we can help manage your company’s social media accounts. Our team can start or improve your social media strategy to help generate leads and brand awareness. Contact us today to learn more about our social media marketing services.