Meta Verified is Only Available in the US, Australia and New Zealand Currently
To answer the question directly upfront, Meta Verified is currently only available in 3 countries: the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Meta has not yet rolled out the paid verification service anywhere else.
I‘ll provide a detailed breakdown of everything you need to know about Meta Verified availability globally, but that‘s the key takeaway – it‘s still very limited as Meta is taking a slow approach to launching the product more widely.
A Quick Refresher on What Meta Verified Offers
Before we dive into what countries have access, let‘s recap what exactly Meta Verified provides to those who subscribe:
- A blue verification badge on Instagram and Facebook profiles
- Direct access to live support for account issues
- Proactive monitoring for impersonating accounts or content
- Exclusive creative tools like digital collectibles and stickers
The goal is to provide individuals a way to stand out with a verified identity while getting enhanced account security and support.
It costs $11.99/month if you subscribe on the web or $14.99/month on iOS/Android.
Current Country Availability
Meta first launched Meta Verified in July 2022 as a limited test. As of February 2023, there are still only 3 countries where the paid verification is available:
United States
Australia
New Zealand
These remain the only places you can currently subscribe and get verified by Meta. There has been no expansion since the initial test launch.
Meta has stated they plan to take an intentional, gradual approach to rolling out globally. The goal is to start small, gather feedback, and improve the product before launching widely.
Expanding too fast comes with risks, so a limited launch allows them to work out any issues before potentially impacting billions of users worldwide.
No Access Yet in Other Major Countries
Many people have wondered about availability in other large markets like the United Kingdom, India, Brazil, and more.
Unfortunately, Meta Verified remains unavailable everywhere except the original test countries as of now.
Here is the status for some of the places I get asked about most frequently:
- United Kingdom – Not available yet
- India – Not available yet, but you can join the waitlist
- Mexico – Not available yet
- Brazil – Not available yet
- Italy – Not available yet
- France – Not available yet
- Canada – Not available yet
The only option for users in other countries is to join the waitlist, so you‘ll be notified when Meta Verified becomes available in your market.
To join the waitlist:
- Open the Instagram or Facebook app
- Go to your profile
- If Meta Verified isn‘t available in your country yet, you‘ll see an option to "Join Waitlist"
- Tap that and enter your email address
Once launched in your country, Meta will email you so you can be among the first to subscribe and get verified. This is your only option outside of the 3 test countries for now.
When Will More Countries Get Access?
The big question everyone wants answered – when will Meta Verified expand to more markets globally?
While Meta has not provided an exact timeline, I can make some educated guesses based on their comments:
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They want to take it very slow rolling out Meta Verified widely. This means adding countries one at a time rather than a mass worldwide launch.
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English-speaking countries like Canada, the UK, Australia (already live) seem most likely to get access next. Huge user bases in familiar markets.
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India is also near the top of the list given Meta‘s large engineering and product teams there.
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Developing countries will likely have to wait longer as Meta focuses on wealthier markets first.
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Based on a gradual rollout approach, it could take 6-12 months minimum before Meta Verified achieves broad global availability.
Here‘s a table summarizing the countries I expect to get access first and last as the rollout expands:
| Early Access Countries | Later Access Countries |
|---|---|
| Canada | China |
| United Kingdom | Russia |
| Germany | Turkey |
| France | Brazil |
| Japan | Indonesia |
| South Korea | Nigeria |
The key for anyone outside the initial 3 test markets is patience. Join the waitlist, but understand it could be well into 2023 or even 2024 before Meta Verified reaches your country.
Is Meta Taking the Right Approach with a Limited Launch?
In my opinion, Meta is making the smart strategic decision by taking it slow with Meta Verified.
Rolling out globally all at once comes with huge risks:
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Overwhelming demand – hundreds of millions of people would likely subscribe initially, overwhelming Meta‘s support teams.
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Unidentified issues – at smaller scale, it‘s easier to spot problems and bugs compared to billions of users.
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Reputation impact – any issues or scandals get magnified on global stage immediately. Limited launch allows testing the waters.
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Scale challenges – verifying identities and supporting users becomes infinitely more complex at global size.
It reminds me of the old parable – slow and steady wins the race. Meta knows taking the tortoise approach rather than the hare will lead to better long term success for Meta Verified.
The 3 country launch gives them room to identify what‘s working and what‘s not. I expect the product roadmap will change significantly based on initial user feedback before expanding access too far.
How to Get Verified if You Live in the US, Australia or New Zealand
For those lucky few who already live in one of the 3 launched countries, signing up for Meta Verified is straightforward:
1. Check You Meet the Eligibility Requirements
You must:
- Live in the US, Australia or New Zealand
- Be 18+ years old
- Have an individual account (no businesses…yet)
- Have a government ID and proof of residence handy
2. Open the Instagram or Facebook App
Then open the app and go to your profile page:
- Instagram – open Instagram and tap your profile pic
- Facebook – open Facebook and tap your profile pic
3. Tap "Subscribe" to Meta Verified
You should see the option to "Subscribe" to Meta Verified right on your profile if you‘re eligible.
The price will be either $11.99/month (web) or $14.99/month (iOS or Android).
4. Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Sign Up
After tapping Subscribe, follow the on-screen steps to complete the payment flow and upload your ID verification documents.
5. Wait for Account Review
Once subscribed, your account goes into review before the blue check is assigned. This can take up to 48 hours based on volume.
If approved, you‘ll get notification the badge is active. If any issues with documents, Meta will reach out for more info.
And that‘s all it takes to finally get verified on Instagram or Facebook if you‘re in one of the eligible countries!
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Meta Verified
Should you subscribe to Meta Verified if you‘re able to? Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Potential Benefits
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Blue verification badge adds prestige and authority to your personal profile
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Easier to distinguish your real account from impersonators or fakes
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Direct access to enhanced account support and security
Potential Downsides
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Relatively expensive just for a badge with minimal extra benefits
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Some believe identity verification should be free and accessible to all
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Meta already has high security standards for removing fakes without payment
For most individuals, it comes down to how much value having that exclusive blue checkmark provides for your personal brand and reputation online.
For businesses and creators, my take is the current features don‘t provide enough commercial benefit to be worth the monthly cost. But expanded offerings in the future like promotional tools could change that calculus.
What Does the Future Look Like for Meta Verified?
While still early days, Meta Verified offers a glimpse into the future of social media monetization. Some possibilities as the product evolves:
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Expanded country availability over 2023-2024 until reaching most major markets globally.
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Additional benefits like promotional tools for creators and businesses.
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Potential lower pricing tiers with basic verification or limited features.
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Verification expanding beyond just individuals to business accounts.
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Integration of verification into broader "pro" subscription bundles on Instagram and Facebook.
It will be fascinating to see how Meta iterates on Meta Verified based on lessons from the initial launch in the US, Australia and New Zealand.
This is a major shift in how users gain status and identity on social platforms. The era of verification being an exclusive free perk for celebrities and public figures appears to be ending.
Paid verification is likely here to stay in some form, though exactly how it evolves remains to be seen.
The Bottom Line on Meta Verified Availability
To summarize my key advice on where Meta Verified is available:
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It‘s currently only available in the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Nowhere else yet.
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If you live elsewhere, join the waitlist to be notified whenever it launches in your country.
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Be patient, as global rollout will likely take well into 2023 based on Meta‘s gradual approach.
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If you‘re in the test countries, enjoy the opportunity to be among the first with a paid blue badge! For everyone else, your time is coming too.
I hope this guide has been helpful understanding the current status of Meta Verified availability and how access will expand in the future. Let me know if you have any other questions!