For regulars on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, the blue checkmark is a familiar icon that confirms the user displaying it is verified in some way.
But some current and coming changes to the way those badges are awarded could affect how businesses and consumers interact online, social media observers say.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, recently announced it’s offering verification to users who pay for the privilege. The trial markets for Meta Verified recently expanded from Australia and New Zealand and now include the United States.
The company has not indicated when Meta Verified is coming to Canada.
In recent years on social media, verification has
