News

Facebook & Instagram Are Testing Twitter-Style Blue Checks

The $12 per month “Meta Verified” upgrade will give users a blue badge along with increased visibility, impersonation protection, priority support, and more.

Published

2 years ago

February 20, 2023

Nour Nasir

facebook and instagram are testing twitter-style blue checks

Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta is testing a paid verification service for Facebook and Instagram known as “Meta Verified“. The upgrade will cost $11.99 per month on the web and $14.99 on mobile, granting users a verified badge and other perks like increased visibility and prioritized customer support. The feature will first roll out to Australian and New Zealand residents this week and arrive in more countries “soon”.

To enjoy the benefits of Meta Verification, users must be at least 18 years of age, meet minimum activity requirements, and submit an official government ID matching the name and photo listed on Facebook and/or Instagram. Meta confirms that it won’t make changes to accounts that have been verified using the company’s previous system, including notability and authenticity.

Also Read: Hub71 To Invest $2 Billion In New Web3 Startup Ecosystem

As well as verification, users who subscribe to the service will unlock exclusive stickers for Stories and Reels and receive 100 free stars per month — the digital currency used to tip creators on Facebook. Meta cautions that businesses can’t apply for a Meta Verified badge just yet, and profile names, usernames, birthdays, and profile photos won’t be able to be altered without going through the verification process from scratch.

It’s hard to ignore the similarity between Meta’s new checkmark service and Twitter Blue, launched by Elon Musk recently. However, Meta seems to be taking account authenticity far more seriously, which hopefully won’t cause the deluge of fake verified accounts we saw on Twitter towards the end of 2022.

News

Yabi Introduces AI Financial Coach For Smarter Money Moves

The app provides real-time, personalized financial guidance, helping UAE residents manage money smarter, reduce debt, and build wealth effortlessly.

Published

10 hours ago

February 22, 2025

Nour Nasir

Yabi

Imagine having 24/7 access to an expert financial advisor — someone who understands your spending habits, helps you save more effectively, and offers guidance for every financial decision. That’s the vision behind Yabi’s revamped platform, an AI-driven finance app designed to transform personal finance management in the UAE.

Unlike traditional budgeting tools, Yabi acts as an always-available AI advisor, analyzing your unique spending patterns and offering real-time, tailored financial advice. Whether you’re making everyday purchases, planning a big trip, or saving for a major milestone, Yabi keeps you on track and helps you make informed financial choices.

Rakhil Fernando, CEO of Yabi, explains the mission behind the platform: “Financial literacy is not optional — it’s essential. But most financial tools today feel outdated and overly complex. Yabi is here to change that by offering AI-powered financial coaching that’s smart, simple, and accessible to everyone in the UAE”.

Here are some of the updated app’s new features:

AI-Powered Financial Coach: A 24/7 digital advisor providing real-time financial guidance based on your spending habits and available in multiple languages.
Live Insights: Connect your bank accounts for a detailed breakdown of your expenses.
Tailored Budgeting: Yabi creates a budget that fits with your actual spending habits rather than generic financial advice.
Interactive Financial Education: Learn the essentials of saving, investing, and credit management through engaging content integrated into the AI experience.
Automated Expense Tracking: Receive instant alerts on overspending, identify hidden charges, and cut unnecessary subscriptions with ease.
Credit Score & Financial Health Monitoring: Get free credit score checks and AI-driven recommendations to enhance your financial standing.

Also Read: A Guide To Digital Payment Methods In The Middle East

Finally, Yabi is also gearing up to introduce its own debit card and a suite of financial products, making it easier to save, spend, and invest within a single platform.

Want to try Yabi for yourself? You can download the app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.