To verify or not verify, that is the question many companies and individuals are asking themselves. Today’s top social media platforms are now allowing users to pay to verify their pages. So, by paying a monthly subscription, your account can get a blue check mark next to your name. 

For some companies, it has brought up the question, is it worth paying for verification? Our digital marketing agency Omaha team is here to break down the pros and cons of paying for verification. 

Twitter verification 

Twitter was one of the first social media platforms to roll out its subscription verification process. To get a blue checkmark on Twitter, you need to be subscribed to Twitter Blue. The cost varies depending on where you sign-up. If you signed up on a website, the cost would be $8 per month, while iOS sign-ups will cost $11 per month for “access to subscribers-only features, including the blue checkmark.” 

The eligibility to get the blue checkmark is as follows:

• 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

Facebook and Instagram verification

Meta - the parent company for Facebook and Instagram - also launched a verification subscription service similar to Twitter’s. The Meta Verified subscription costs $14.99/month for (iOS/Android) and $11.99 on the web for Facebook only. Currently, this feature is only available to those in Australia and New Zealand, but Meta hopes to expand across the world soon. 

To be eligible to get Meta verification, you need to:

• 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 

The pros and cons of verifying your social media accounts

With both of these major platforms rolling out verification, it has left many brands wondering if it is worth verifying. At the end of this day, we believe that it is your brand's decision. However, our digital marketing agency Omaha team wants to lay out the pros and cons of taking steps to verify your social media accounts. 

The Pros

Extra security

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. 

Increases visibility

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 is said to help expand your reach with increased visibility and prominence in some parts of Instagram and Facebook. 

The cons

Pay every month

One of the cons, 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. 

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