Instagram could be taking inspiration from Twitter once again, as indications in the app’s code suggest a new feature to highlight “Meta Verified” users within the app’s feed. Reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi revealed that both iOS and Android versions of the Instagram app now include a feed filter labeled “Meta Verified,” positioned alongside the existing chronological Following and Favorites feeds introduced the previous year.
However, Instagram has downplayed the discovery, stating, “This is not a feature we’re testing.” The company has not clarified if the feature was in internal development or part of consideration that was later abandoned. Paluzzi, though, shares that the feature was added to the Android (v296.0.0.0.16) and iOS (v295.0) apps recently.
The implication is that this feature is a new development, aligning with Meta’s response while perhaps not providing the complete picture. Whether Meta proceeds with a filter solely for Verified creators is uncertain, but the concept carries potential benefits.
Such a dedicated feed could predominantly feature content from verified creators who gain various advantages through the verification process, including impersonation protection, direct customer support, exclusive stickers, monthly support tokens, and the coveted blue checkmark, which is now part of Instagram’s Threads app.
Adding “Meta Verified” as a filter option signifies an opportunity for creators to gain increased visibility. Regular users who engage with Instagram’s feed filters might explore this new option to access content from their favorite creators, expanding their feed beyond just posts from friends.
Introduced in the wake of Twitter Blue, the Meta Verified feature set is evidently influenced by Twitter’s efforts to monetize active creators. Twitter Blue, now part of the larger X rebranding, offers subscribers various enhancements to elevate their posts, including a dedicated Verified tab in user notifications, limited ads, extended post length, and more.
Paluzzi’s discovery of the new filter indicates that the “Meta Verified” dropdown is located as the third option in the feed filter list and is identifiable by a checkmark icon. While the outcome remains uncertain, Instagram’s potential move could reshape how verified creators engage with the platform.
