Facebook adds verified accounts

Taking a page from Twitter, Facebook will begin rolling out verified accounts for popular figures.

In an article written by CNN, Facebook started a system today that allows people with a large following submit a government ID to prove who prove their account is legitimate.

A spokesperson for Facebook told CNN that this feature will make it easier for subscribers to find and stay updated with figures like journalists, celebrities and other public figures.

Once verified, a user will be able to “more prominently display an alternate name (nickname, maiden name, byline, etc.) on their timelines in addition to their real name.”

Twitter has long been verifying accounts for public figures. It’s taken Facebook longer to implement this system because the website requires its users to sign up with their full name. Some public figures go by different names, such as Lady Gaga and Madonna.

But now, Facebook will allow verified users to prominently display an alternate name on their timelines. This means that Stefani Germanotta can be Lady Gaga and Declan McManus can be Elvis Costello on Facebook.