Facebook is rolling out a new verification system that lets users prove they are a real person without paying a subscription fee.
Announced on July 24, Facebook Verified is a free verification badge that uses a short selfie video to confirm a user’s identity. Meta says the feature is designed to help people identify authentic profiles as AI-generated accounts, messages, and content become more common across the platform.
The feature is launching in phases, starting in select markets before expanding globally. It is available to eligible Facebook users aged 18 and older whose accounts are in good standing and comply with the platform’s Community Standards.
Facebook’s new Verified badge is free and follows users across the platform
Unlike Meta Verified, which is a paid subscription offering additional account benefits, Facebook Verified is free and focuses solely on confirming that an account belongs to a real person.
To receive the badge, users record a short selfie video, which Facebook compares against existing profile photos to verify a match. Meta says the process typically takes only a few minutes.
Once approved, the badge will appear in several of Facebook’s most commonly used features, including Marketplace, Dating, Groups, and on user profiles. Meta says support for Feed posts will be added in the future.
The company says the badge is intended to help users make more informed decisions when interacting with others, whether they’re buying and selling through Marketplace, browsing dating profiles, or participating in Groups.
To qualify, users must be at least 18 years old, have an account in good standing, meet Facebook’s Community Standards, including rules against fraud, scams, and deceptive practices, and show no signs of inauthentic behavior. The feature is not currently available for Facebook Pages or ProMode accounts.
Meta stressed that the badge is only intended to verify that an account belongs to a real person. It does not mean Facebook endorses that user or guarantees they are trustworthy, and verified accounts remain subject to the platform’s existing Community Standards and Commerce Policies.
“As AI makes it easier to do more on Facebook, a clear signal that distinguishes real people becomes essential,” Meta said. “That’s what Facebook Verified is for: keeping the moments that matter on Facebook grounded in real people.”
The launch also follows Meta’s recent push to introduce new Facebook subscription features.
Earlier this year, the company rolled out Facebook Plus, a $3.99 monthly subscription that added perks such as anonymous Story viewing, extended Story durations, and additional profile customization. While that service focuses on premium features, Facebook Verified is free and instead aims to help users identify real people across the platform.
