Previously, verified badges were reserved for public figures that were deemed to be unique and notable. They became something of a status symbol on social media. With Meta Verified, individuals over 18 with a valid ID can now obtain a verified profile on Facebook or Instagram. The service is currently available in the United States, Australia and New Zealand, and is not yet available for businesses. Meta Verified also requires separate subscriptions to be verified on both Instagram and Facebook. When it first launched, the service promised increased reach for subscribers. Meta has since removed that feature from the current version of Meta Verified, but could bring it back in later versions of the subscription. 

More and more, it seems social media platforms are tailoring their features to individual users rather than businesses. Meta Verified and Twitter’s Twitter Blue are both created for individuals, with separate corporate offerings available or in development. On social media, now more than ever, the power rests within the consumer. There is a chance that services such as these will only continue to increase the authority of influencers on social media. At the same time, having verification available to opt into rather than earn through celebrity could dilute the importance of verification on social media.