The blue checkmark traditionally served as a symbol of verification awarded to notable celebrities and business accounts. This led users to believe these accounts were genuine, reliable, and significant. Although small, it created a sense of status and recognition amongst users on social media. However, we are currently seeing a transformation concerning the dynamics of the blue check mark.
The Price of Verification
On April 1, Twitter launched its new verification program. To get the blue check, accounts must be subscribed to Twitter Blue. Anyone can be a part of Twitter Blue as long as they are willing to pay $8 a month.
Following in Twitter’s footsteps, Meta applications such as Facebook and Instagram also implemented a new process of obtaining verification via paid subscriptions. Meta calls their subscription service Meta Verified. Each platform receives $14 a month to receive that blue check.
What Does This Mean for Businesses?
Now that anyone can become a verified account, it poses a threat to businesses that previously relied on the symbol for recognition, but it offers new hope for businesses that couldn’t obtain it in the past.
Subscription services like Twitter Blue provide businesses with a range of advantages. The program encompasses various benefits, including enhanced account security, increased control over their online presence, improved visibility through prioritized ranking in search results, the ability to compose longer tweets, and the convenience of editing them when necessary. These robust tools can significantly assist smaller businesses in expanding their outreach, safeguarding their online assets, and gaining recognition that may have previously eluded them. By using these features, businesses can leverage new avenues for growth, protection, and brand establishment.
Twitter has also offered the opportunity to subscribe to Twitter Verified Organizations. This service has the same concept as Twitter Blue, except it’s geared specifically towards business, and it’s more expensive at $1000 a month. In addition to the core features offered by Twitter Blue, additional functionalities cater specifically to businesses. One notable feature is the substitution of the blue checkmark with a distinguished gold checkmark, effectively differentiating business accounts from individual ones. Furthermore, incorporating affiliate accounts on their pages proves highly advantageous for major companies seeking to leverage strategic partnerships.
For larger businesses with substantial budgets and a broader audience reach, opting for Twitter Verified Organizations may be a more viable choice. Despite its higher price point, this premium offering is tailored to meet the needs of sizable enterprises. The utilization of a gold check mark, particularly for household name businesses like Amazon and Target, is a prominent visual cue that reinforces their brand presence and credibility.
Unlike Twitter, Meta Platform’s verified subscription service has fewer benefits. The only thing you get with this subscription is the blue check and a little bit more security. However, Meta platforms allow business accounts to become verified for free they just do not receive that blue check symbol of verification.
The landscape of the blue checkmark symbol on social media platforms has undergone a significant transformation. With the introduction of these subscription services, the accessibility of verification has expanded, allowing anyone to obtain the blue checkmark for a fee. This shift poses both challenges and opportunities for businesses. While it dilutes the exclusivity and perceived status associated with the blue checkmark, it also offers newfound hope for businesses that previously struggled to obtain recognition. Although its meaning has evolved, the verified symbol continues to hold relevance in demonstrating a business’s commitment to credibility and establishing a reputable online presence.