New Delhi, July 19, 2024 – Meta has announced the expansion of its “Meta Verified” service to encompass Facebook and Instagram, a month after its initial rollout for WhatsApp Business users in India. The service, aimed at enhancing credibility and support for businesses, includes a coveted “blue tick” verification badge, enhanced account support, protection against impersonation, and additional features to aid in discovery and connection.
The newly introduced service offers businesses four subscription tiers: Standard, Plus, Premium, and Max. Pricing starts at INR 639 per month for the Standard plan, supporting a single app, and escalates up to INR 30,000 monthly for the Max plan, catering to two apps. Each tier builds upon the features of the previous one, providing scalable support tailored to businesses at various stages of growth.
Notably, Meta has stipulated that these subscription plans will be purchasable exclusively via iOS or Android platforms for Indian businesses. Furthermore, businesses can opt for verification on either a single app or a bundled package encompassing both Facebook and Instagram.
In a move to attract businesses, Meta has introduced an introductory offer wherein users can avail the top-tier Meta Verified subscription (for both Facebook and Instagram) at INR 21,000 per month for a limited time. However, post the introductory period, standard rates for the offering will revert to INR 30,000 monthly for two apps.
The expansion of the Meta Verified program in India marks a continuation of its global rollout strategy since its inception in 2023. Originally launched for creators in Australia and New Zealand, Meta subsequently extended the service to businesses, commencing with a pilot in New Zealand and subsequent expansions to Australia and Canada.
Earlier this year, Meta introduced the Meta Verified service for WhatsApp business users in India, offering plans ranging from INR 1,240 to INR 9,940 monthly.
This recent development aligns with Meta’s broader efforts to introduce innovative services within the Indian market, following the rollout of an AI assistant across WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram platforms last month. India stands as the largest user base for Meta’s family of apps, with Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram boasting user counts of 378 million, 478 million, and 362 million respectively, according to Statista.
Meta’s expansion of the Meta Verified service underscores its commitment to providing robust tools and support systems for businesses operating within its ecosystem, further solidifying its presence in the Indian digital landscape.
