Social media platform, Meta (Facebook) has revealed plans to unveil verification process for businesses on WhatsApp.
Speaking at a virtual media briefing, embargoed till yesterday, Meta’s Vice President, Business Messaging, Nikila Srinivasan, said the firm would soon begin to make it possible for businesses to receive verification from Meta, which users know they are chatting with the right business. It noted that to become Meta verified, businesses must demonstrate authenticity to Meta in return receive a verified badge, enhanced account support, and impersonation protection.
“For businesses interested in signing up, Meta Verified will come with additional premium features including the ability to create a custom WhatsApp page that is easily discoverable via a web search, and multi-device support so multiple employees can respond to customers. We’ll begin testing Meta Verified soon with small businesses using the WhatsApp Business app before introducing it to businesses on the WhatsApp Business Platform in the future,” Srinivasan stated.
Checks showed that WhatsApp is available across 180 countries including Nigeria, accessible in over 20 different languages. While there were about 50 million WhatsApp Business app users in 2020, the number of global consumers and companies using WhatsApp Business was estimated to surpass 1.2 billion users as of 2021.
Just like verification for creators, Meta Verified for Businesses benefits include a badge, better reach and impersonation protection. The company is offering the same badge to businesses as the one offered to creators, so there is no differentiation.
The Meta VP also announced the launching of Flows, a feature that will allow businesses can offer the full range of their services without the user leaving the chat.
“With flows, businesses will be able to provide rich menus and customizable forms that support different needs. We’ll make Flows available to businesses around the world using the WhatsApp Business Platform in the coming weeks,” Srinivasan stated.
The Mark Zuckerberg-led company said Meta Verified for Business will start rolling out to select markets in the next few weeks.
