New verification system confirms real users through a quick selfie video, with rollout beginning in select markets.
Meta has launched Facebook Verified, a new free verification badge designed to confirm that a real person is behind a Facebook account through a quick selfie-based identity check.
The new feature aims to improve authenticity across the platform and help users identify genuine accounts without requiring a paid subscription.
To receive the badge, eligible users must record a short selfie video. Meta compares the video with the account’s existing profile photos to verify that they belong to the same individual. According to the company, the verification process takes only a few minutes to complete.
Once approved, the Facebook Verified badge will initially appear on users’ profiles as well as in Facebook Marketplace, Dating, and Groups. Meta said the badge will also be displayed on Feed posts in a future update.
The company clarified that the badge is intended solely to verify that an account belongs to a real person. It does not indicate that Meta endorses the user or guarantees their credibility or trustworthiness.
Eligibility is limited to users aged 18 and older whose accounts are in good standing under Facebook’s Community Standards. Applicants must not have a history of fraud, scams, deceptive practices, or other forms of inauthentic behaviour.
The verification system is currently available only for personal Facebook accounts. Business Pages and Professional Mode profiles are not eligible for the free verification badge at this stage.
Meta said the feature is being introduced gradually, with the rollout beginning in select markets before expanding to additional countries worldwide in the coming months.
The launch reflects Meta’s broader efforts to combat fake accounts and improve transparency across its social media platforms. By introducing a free identity verification option, the company aims to make it easier for users to distinguish authentic individuals from impersonators and fraudulent accounts.
While Meta already offers a paid verification subscription through Meta Verified, the new Facebook Verified badge serves a different purpose by focusing on basic identity confirmation for eligible personal accounts without requiring a subscription fee.
Users who qualify can complete the selfie verification process through the Facebook app once the feature becomes available in their region.