Facebook is introducing a complimentary verified badge to assist in identifying genuine users.

      No subscription, no hidden fees, just a quick selfie to verify you're not a bot.

      Meta | Digital Trends

      With AI making it alarmingly simple to impersonate real people online, Facebook is introducing a new badge to confirm your authenticity. This badge is called Facebook Verified, and best of all, it comes at no cost to you.

      How can you get verified on Facebook?

      I appreciate that Facebook has streamlined the verification process. You only need to take a brief video selfie, and Facebook will compare it to your existing profile pictures to ensure it's really you. The entire process is quick and simple, taking just a few minutes. Unlike other social media platforms, Facebook won’t charge a subscription fee for this verification badge.

      That said, not everyone qualifies for this feature. You must be at least 18 years old, and your account must adhere to Facebook's policies regarding fraud, scams, and misleading behavior. If there are any signs of inauthentic activity, getting that badge will be unlikely. Additionally, Pages and ProMode accounts are not currently eligible.

      Facebook has stated that the rollout of this feature will happen in phases, starting in selected markets before expanding globally, so don’t worry if it’s not showing up on your account yet.

      Where can you find this badge?

      Once you are verified, the badge will appear in locations where trust is essential, such as Marketplace, Facebook Dating, Groups, and your profile. Facebook mentions that Feed posts will also eventually showcase the badge.

      You only need to verify once, and the badge will accompany you everywhere. So next time you’re negotiating for a secondhand couch or matching with someone on Dating, you can rest assured there’s a real person on the other end.

      Facebook also clarifies that having a badge doesn’t mean endorsement. The company makes it clear that this badge does not guarantee the trustworthiness of anyone. Verified users still need to adhere to the same Community Standards and Commerce Policies as everyone else.

      Despite my frustrations with some of Meta’s policies, this initiative represents progress. As AI-generated profiles become increasingly tricky to identify, a complimentary badge declaring “yes, I’m a real person” is certainly a valuable asset.

      Rachit is an experienced tech journalist with over a decade of expertise in the consumer technology sector.

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