Selling on Facebook Gets Tougher, Check the New Requirements

Meta is rolling out a new identity verification system that requires users to take a video selfie to prove they are genuine. This verification badge will be applied across several services, including Marketplace, as part of an effort to enhance security and trust on the platform. Meta explained the new system is called Facebook Verified. This service differs from Meta Verified, the paid subscription that provides a blue verification badge along with additional features. This verification is provided free of charge to ensure an account is genuinely owned by a real person, particularly for users actively selling on Marketplace, using Facebook Dating, or joining Groups. The move comes as artificial intelligence technology makes it increasingly easy to create fake content, profiles, and messages. “Because AI makes it easier to create content, profiles, and messages, we want to give you a way to know there is a real person behind a profile. That is why we are introducing Facebook Verified, a free badge for Facebook users,” Meta wrote in an announcement. The Facebook Verified process involves a short video selfie. The video will be matched with the existing profile photo on the account to ensure the user’s identity is consistent. Meta stated this process is free and generally takes only a few minutes. Not all accounts can obtain the badge. Users must be at least 18 years old, meet Meta’s trust and security standards, and have a good track record in accordance with Facebook’s Community Standards, particularly regarding rules prohibiting fraud, scams, and deceptive practices. Meta will launch Facebook Verified gradually, starting in select countries before expanding worldwide. Once verified, the Facebook Verified badge will appear on various key Facebook features, including Marketplace, Dating, Groups, and Profiles. In the future, Meta will also display the badge on Feed posts. Users only need to verify once, and the badge will automatically apply across all Facebook services without a subscription fee. However, Meta stressed that Facebook Verified does not mean the company guarantees the user is completely trustworthy or endorses the account. All users must still comply with Meta’s policies, including the Community Standards and Commerce Policies. In addition to introducing the verification system, Facebook also released a new app specifically for users who regularly sell on Marketplace. The app, named Seller, allows sellers to manage product listings, communicate with buyers, and monitor the performance of items sold.