What Is the Point?

People Should Not Be Able To Pay for Verification on Social Media

Photo by Sara Kurfeß on Unsplash

Before 2023, users on Facebook and Instagram had to apply for verification, a feature originally created to authenticate celebrities. Users who were approved for verification receive a blue check mark badge next to their name, which shows the account is the one and only account run by that celebrity. Recently, however, these platforms are now allowing people to pay for the check mark. This new feature can confuse other users, make it less significant to be verified and become a waste of money. Some may argue that the check mark proves their account and prevents hacking, but that does not validate all the other arguments.

When scrolling on social media and coming across a page with a blue check mark, the first thing that goes through that person's head is that the user is famous. Once clicking on their profile to learn more, viewers will quickly become confused to realize that the user is not famous yet still has a check mark. This skepticism will make it harder for people to detect whether or not the verification is real.

Not only does this new feature perplex netizens, but it also takes away credibility from people who earned the verification for valid reasons. Many famous celebrities and political figures request verification to prove that their account is truly theirs. Along with verifying the person's identity, the check mark is something that they had to earn. Many public figures are denied the verification and have to request it multiple times before receiving it. Now that people can just pay to receive it, it takes away the credibility of earning it. Also paying for the check mark as a non celebrity does not clarify anything to any other viewers. One thing that should really determine whether people should try to be verified or not is the pricing.

If a person wants to have the blue check mark next to their name, they will have to pay a monthly fee of $15. To compare this with other monthly fees, Spotify Premium cost $12 a month, Netflix cost $18 a month and Youtube Premium cost $14 per month. People can spend their money on other platforms that will give them more benefits than just receiving verification. Verification on social media is a waste of money to pay that much and receive that little.

Many people who paid to be verified claim that the check mark prevents hacking or impersonation for non-famous users. They also argue that with the verification enhances visibility; in other words, more people will click on the person's account. Although these claims are true, it is very unlikely for someone who does not have a large following to get hacked. Even in rare occasions where less significant creators do get hacked, they can generally get their account back or simply create a new account. Moreover, although people tend to click on verified accounts more, once they realize that the account is not owned by a celebrity, they will quickly refrain from further interaction. Thus, the verification is more of a hassle for overall users on Instagram and Facebook.

In conclusion, it is unnecessary to pay for verification. Not only does it create confusion among netizens, it takes away the credibility from celebrities who have earned the verification. The check mark is also not worth the price. Although others do make good arguments on why they should be able to buy it, the arguments are not very important and do not make up for the inconvenience.