A developer has reportedly revealed that there is paid verification in Instagram's source code, which could allow users to receive the coveted blue tick next to their name to indicate that their account is a verified one.

This speculation arose just a few months after Elon Musk bought Twitter and introduced the "Twitter Blue" verification feature, which offers similar benefits to users.

According to a report, Alessandro Paluzzi has discovered evidence in the form of code snippets indicating that Meta-owned platforms Instagram and Facebook may soon offer payment verification services on both platforms. Paluzzi shared screenshots, which read: "IG_NME_PAID_BLUE_BADGE_IDV" and "FB_NME_PAID_BLUE_BADGE_IDV."

Although there is no official announcement from Instagram, this feature may be there, since Mark Zuckerberg and his team have invested heavily in the development of the Metaverse and in finding alternative sources of income.

Additionally, due to Apple's app tracking transparency requirements, companies like Meta have also suffered a significant loss in ad revenue, worth about 10 billion dollars last year, according to 9to5Mac.

Instagram has also been transparent about its recent shortcomings, including removing Instagram's shopping feature and overpromoting videos via Instagram Reels, as Chairman Adam Mosseri acknowledged.