Big changes are coming to Instagram!
Instagram recently announced its newest feature, Meta Verified, a subscription bundle with several intriguing benefits.
What is Meta Verified?
According to Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, the Meta Verified bundle includes account verification with impersonation protection, increased visibility and support, and, of course, the all-important blue check mark.
For a fee of $15 per month, users in Australia and New Zealand can now apply for the bundle. It’s expected to be available in the US and Canada sometime later this year.
Meta Verified is THE BIGGEST change to IG that we have ever seen, and it will affect everyone on the app in a big way… especially if you use Instagram to sell online in any capacity.
What’s Included in Meta Verified?
Instagram promises the following features in their Meta Verified bundle:
- Verification based on government ID provided that match your Facebook name and Instagram account details.
- Increased visibility, with your content being pushed to the Explore page and having more chances to be seen in the news feed.
- You’ll get access to customer support.
Our Take on Meta Verified
While we’re happy to see that Instagram is taking identity verification more seriously, there are some serious red flags about their latest announcement of Meta Verified:
- For starters, you’ll now have to pay for more visibility and reach, which is the opposite of what Instagram used to be about, where community building was key and creativity was rewarded.
- This pay-to-play model also puts those who cannot afford it at a disadvantage, and opens the door to potential tiered plans and more costs for users in the future.
- On top of that, content from paying users will be prioritized on the Explore page and in the feed, which could negatively affect engagement if you don’t pay for verification.
- We don’t know yet if/when Business accounts will get access to Meta Verified, or if it will be more expensive than for Creator or Personal accounts. Without access, Business accounts could be at a serious disadvantage and see their reach reduced even further.
We have more to say about this topic and we’d love to hear what you think over on TikTok.
The Key Takeaway
Whether you’re a Creator, Influencer or business owner, it’s time to diversify your marketing!
Social media platforms can change overnight, and it’s critical to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket.
Here are three tips to help you do just that:
- Get people onto your email list using incentives like discount codes and lead magnets. This has NEVER been more important.
- Post on other platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest, etc., to increase your brand exposure and grow your following.
- Write blog posts so that you can use SEO to drive traffic to a site you own and build authority in your industry or niche.
There are so many more ways to diversify your marketing efforts, but we recommend picking 1 or 2 and going for it!
As always, we’re here for you so if you have any questions, DM us over on TikTok or Instagram.
If you’re ready to unlock the power of TikTok to market your business, check out our course: TikTok for Brands. We teach you everything you need to know about getting started on the app!
Now, who’s going to pay to get that little blue check mark?!
