Facebook introduces free verified badge to help users identify real people
By William Muthama, July 24, 2026Facebook has introduced a new Facebook verified badge that allows users to confirm they are real people through a free selfie-based verification process, as Meta steps up efforts to combat fake accounts and AI-generated identities on the platform.
Announced on Friday, July 24, 2026, the feature is designed to help users identify authentic profiles when interacting on Facebook Marketplace, Dating, Groups and other parts of the platform.
Selfie verification process
Unlike the subscription-based Meta Verified service, Facebook Verified is free to eligible users.
To receive the badge, users are required to record a short video selfie. Facebook then compares the video with the user’s existing profile photos to verify that the account belongs to a real person.
According to Meta, the verification process usually takes only a few minutes.
“We’re launching Facebook Verified, a free badge that verifies there’s a real person behind a profile using a simple selfie-based verification process,” the company said.
To qualify, users must be at least 18 years old, have accounts in good standing and comply with Facebook’s Community Standards, particularly policies against fraud, scams and deceptive behaviour.
The feature is currently unavailable for Facebook Pages and Professional Mode accounts.
Where badge appears
Once verified, the badge will appear on users’ profiles and across Facebook Marketplace, Dating and Groups, with plans to expand to Feed posts in the future.
Meta said users only need to complete the verification process once.
“There’s no subscription fee; you verify once, and the badge travels with you across Facebook,” the company said.
The company added that the badge will help users make more informed decisions before responding to Marketplace listings, accepting a date or engaging with someone in a Facebook Group.
Building user trust
Meta said the rollout comes as advances in artificial intelligence make it easier to generate fake profiles, messages and content online.
“As AI makes it easier to generate content, profiles, and messages, we want to provide a way for you to know there is a real person on the other side of a profile,” Meta said.
The company clarified that the badge does not guarantee a person’s trustworthiness or represent an endorsement by Facebook.
“The Facebook Verified badge means a profile belongs to a real person… It does not mean that Facebook endorses the user or guarantees their trustworthiness,” Meta said.
Facebook Verified is being rolled out in phases, starting in select markets before expanding globally. Eligible users must be 18 years or older and have accounts that meet the platform’s trust and safety requirements.