On July 27, Meta announced Facebook Verified, a completely free verification program for personal Facebook accounts. Instead of requiring a subscription like Meta Verified, the new feature uses a selfie video to confirm that a real person is behind the account, helping build trust during interactions and reduce impersonation on the platform.
According to Meta, Facebook Verified is designed to solve an increasingly common problem on social networks: difficulty distinguishing between real people's accounts and fake accounts, automated accounts or created by AI.
The verification process is quite simple. Users only need to record a short selfie video, after which the system compares the face with the profile photo and images previously posted on the account to verify identity. The entire process takes only a few minutes and does not require payment.
Unlike the traditional blue badge that only shows on a profile, Facebook Verified will appear in many places where trust matters, including:
Meta says showing the badge in these areas will help users feel more confident when buying, selling, joining communities, or chatting with strangers on the platform.
Meta emphasizes that Facebook Verified and Meta Verified are two completely different programs.
Facebook Verified has one goal: to confirm that an account belongs to a real person. Meanwhile, Meta Verified remains a paid subscription for content creators, businesses and people who need additional benefits such as:
In other words, the free badge does not replace Meta Verified; it serves as a complement that raises trust across the entire Facebook ecosystem.
Meta says Facebook Verified will first roll out in a number of countries and expand gradually in the coming months. Eligible users will receive verification invitations directly on Facebook or in areas such as Marketplace, Groups and Dating when the feature launches in their region.
The rapid growth of generative AI makes it easier than ever to create fake avatars, profiles and content. In this context, Meta expects Facebook Verified to help users better recognize accounts verified as real people, thereby limiting scams, reducing impersonation risk and building a more transparent interaction environment.
It is also seen as part of Meta's long-term strategy to strengthen safety across the social platforms it operates.
According to Meta
