Until recently, getting verified on social media meant you had a lot of followers and were someone of influence. In short, you had some clout. Now, the most prominent platforms are offering this status for anyone willing to pay… But is it worth it?
Before you let Elon or Zuckerberg swipe your card, we will outline what you get and the pros and cons.
Then, you can decide the value of a blue check mark next to your name…
What Being Verified on Social Media Means — By Platform
Currently, you can pay a monthly fee to be verified on the two largest social media networks: Twitter and the Metaverse.
The idea behind the paid verification is the same for both, but there are some differences…
We are going to break down the ins and outs of each below…
When Elon Musk bought Twitter in 2022, he made a lot of promises to the platform’s users.
The multi-billionaire vowed to add the long-awaited “edit” feature. Additionally, Musk assured Twitter enthusiasts that false accounts would be eliminated.
After a massive purge of “bot” accounts, the public was still waiting on the ability to rewrite their Tweets.
AND WHEN IT FINALLY ARRIVED, IT WASN’T QUITE WHAT PEOPLE EXPECTED…
The social media app rolled out its Twitter Blue program.
According to their Help Center page, those who pay for the service are:
- Verified with a blue checkmark as a “non-deceptive account”
- Able to correct posted Tweets
And, that seems to be about it…
On top of that, there are some significant downsides…
First, those verified under the old process lost that social media status as Apr 1, 2023, if they refused to pay the subscription cost.
Also, Twitter Blue holders lose their checkmarks if they decide to change their profile picture or username.
THEN, THEY ONLY HAVE THEIR MARK RETURNED AFTER THEIR PROFILE GOES UNDER A REVIEW PROCESS.
Something else to note is that companies can also participate in the program to become verified organizations.
Their benefits include:
- A gold checkmark
- Premium customer support
- Twitter Blue Badges for selected employees — at an additional cost.
But before we write off getting verified on social media, let’s see what the Metaverse has to offer…
The Metaverse AKA Facebook and Instagram
At a glance, it appears that social media platforms in the Metaverse give you more perks for being verified.
TO BEGIN WITH, THE PREVIOUS VERIFICATION PROCESS IS STILL AVAILABLE, AND THOSE WHO HAD GONE THROUGH IT DIDN’T LOSE THEIR BADGE.
Furthermore, Meta Verified is only available to personal accounts, not brands or companies. However, companies can still get their check mark through the prior method — as well as individuals.
Immediately, this gives Meta’s badge a bit more credibility. Still, let’s go over the benefits to those who pay for it…
Meta Verified users can expect:
- Account impersonation protection
- Blue checkmark badge
- Extended reach of their posts
- Exclusive stickers
- Access to live customer support
These advantages sound better than Twitter’s program right out of the gate, but there are a couple of asterisks to consider…
As we mentioned, you cannot verify your company through a Meta Verified subscription. It takes time and an arduous application process to get the checkmark for your business.
Second, you need to pay for verification on your Facebook and Instagram accounts separately.
THAT’S RIGHT. TO VERIFY ON BOTH METAVERSE SITES, YOU GOTTA PAY TWICE!
With that in mind, how much will being verified on social media end up costing you?
What the Check Mark Will Cost You
Continuing with our discussion of the Metaverse, their payment plan is fairly straightforward.
It will cost $14.99 per month to be Meta Verified on the Instagram or Facebook social media apps or $11.99 a month to be verified on the Facebook desktop version.
ALL IN ALL, COSTING YOU ABOUT $27 A MONTH FOR BOTH.
Conversely, to be verified with Twitter Blue it is only $8 monthly for an individual user. However, it gets more complex as a “verified organization”…
BEING A TWITTER VERIFIED ORGANIZATION COSTS $1,000 A MONTH PLUS $50 PER AFFILIATE!
Naturally, Twitter has no limit to how many affiliates you can have with a payment structure like that…
But at the end of the day, is all this time, energy, and money worth it?
Being Verified on Social Media’s Value Long-Term
In truth, the advantages of being verified all boil down to your goals with social media.
If you run are a lifestyle coach Instragram, being Meta Verified and getting further reach is an advantage to consider…
Or if you promote mainly through Twitter, eight bucks a month could equate to thousands in sales…
As of now, most people still associate being verified on social media as an influential status.
However, as paying for it becomes the norm it may lose some of that luster. So get verified on social media for your business, not your vanity.
Be Great,
GCTV Staff
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