Instagram Code Reveals New Filter for Meta Verified Users in App
Instagram Considers Elevating Verified Users in App
It looks like Instagram may have considered copying another Twitter feature by elevating Verified users to a more prominent spot in the Instagram app, according to a new discovery in the app’s code. According to reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, both the iOS and Android Instagram apps are now showing a new feed filter that would display “Meta Verified” subscribers alongside the chronological Following and Favorites feeds Instagram introduced last year.
Instagram, however, dismissed the new finding saying, “This is not a feature we’re testing,” in a comment to AsumeTech.
The company declined to say if the feature was in internal development or if it was a feature it considered, then decided not to pursue. But Paluzzi tells AsumeTech the feature was added to the code in the Android app (v296.0.0.0.16) released on August 4th and in the iOS app (v295.0) released just yesterday.
That seems to imply something that’s newly in development — which wouldn’t make Meta’s statement on the matter incorrect, just a bit misleading.
Increased Visibility for Verified Creators?
Whether or not Meta moves forward with the concept of a filter just for Verified creators remains to be seen, but it wouldn’t be the worst idea, we’d argue.
Likely, such a feed would primarily consist of creator content, as those users benefit the most from the verification process which provides perks like proactive impersonation protection, direct access to customer support, exclusive stickers, 100 Stars per month to support other creators, and, of course, the coveted blue checkmark — which also translates over to Instagram’s new app, Threads.
By adding “Meta Verified” to the feed filtering options on Instagram, the company would be offering creators an opportunity for increased visibility. Users who engage with Instagram’s feed filters on a regular basis may click over to the new option to browse content from favorite creators instead of just viewing their friends’ posts.
Inspired by Twitter’s Efforts
Launched after Twitter Blue, the feature set for Meta Verified was clearly inspired by Twitter’s efforts to monetize its most active creators.
Twitter Blue, or X Premium as it’s now called as part of the larger X rebranding, provides a variety of features to elevate subscribers’ posts, including by giving them their own Verified tab in users’ Notifications, in addition to other features like limited ads, an edit button, support for longer posts, and more.
What the Meta Verified Filter Looks Like
Paluzzi discovered the new filter and posted on X what the Meta Verified drop-down looks like. For now, it appears as the third option in the list of feed filters and is designated by a checkmark.
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Instagram recently sparked speculation that it was considering a new feature in the app that would elevate Verified users. Reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi discovered a new feed filter in both the iOS and Android Instagram apps that would display “Meta Verified” subscribers alongside the chronological Following and Favorites feeds introduced last year. Although Instagram dismissed the discovery, Paluzzi confirmed that the feature was added to the app’s code in recent updates. While the purpose and future of the feature remain uncertain, it could offer increased visibility for creators and potentially enhance the user experience on the platform.
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The potential addition of the “Meta Verified” filter could encourage increased user engagement on Instagram. By providing a separate feed for Verified creators, users who are interested in creator content can easily access and browse through their favorite creators’ posts. This could be a valuable feature for those who want to discover new creator content while still being able to view posts from their friends. The engagement with this new filter could foster a stronger sense of community among creators and their followers on Instagram.
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