Facebook Launches Free Verified Badge with Selfie-Based Identity Checks

Meta has officially launched Facebook Verified, a new free verification feature that enables eligible users to confirm their identity through a quick selfie-based verification process, as the company steps up efforts to combat fake profiles and improve trust across Facebook.

The new feature allows users to verify their personal Facebook accounts by recording a short video selfie. Meta compares the selfie with existing profile photos to confirm that the account belongs to a real person. According to the company, the process is free and is typically completed within a few minutes.

Unlike the paid Meta Verified subscription, which provides a blue verification badge along with additional account protection and support features, Facebook Verified is completely free and is identified by a black verification badge. Once the verification process is successfully completed, users do not need to verify their identity again, and the badge will appear across supported areas of the platform.

Meta said the initiative comes at a time when advances in artificial intelligence have made it increasingly easy to create convincing fake profiles, manipulated images and deceptive messages. The company believes the new verification system will help users identify authentic individuals before engaging with them.
 

The black verification badge will be displayed in several key Facebook services, including Marketplace, Dating, Groups and personal Profiles, making it easier for users to determine whether they are interacting with a verified individual.

To qualify for Facebook Verified, users must be at least 18 years old, maintain an account in good standing and comply with Facebook's Community Standards. Meta added that accounts showing signs of suspicious or inauthentic activity will not be eligible for verification.

At launch, the programme is available only for personal Facebook profiles. Business Pages and Professional Mode accounts are not currently supported under the free verification system.

Meta will introduce Facebook Verified gradually, beginning with selected markets before expanding availability to additional countries worldwide. The company said the phased rollout will allow it to monitor the feature and refine the experience before making it available globally.

By introducing a free verification option, Meta aims to strengthen user confidence, reduce impersonation and create a safer environment for online interactions as AI-generated content becomes increasingly common across social media platforms.