Meta Platforms has begun a global rollout of subscription plans across its major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, as the company deepens efforts to diversify revenue beyond digital advertising.
The rollout announced by the company on Wednesday introduces consumer-focused “Plus” plans that allow users to gain access to extra features, like profile customization, super reactions, and story insights, among other things.
Under the new structure, users can subscribe to Instagram Plus, Facebook Plus, or WhatsApp Plus for monthly fees ranging between $2.99 and $3.99, depending on the platform.
What Meta is saying
Announcing the launch, Meta’s head of product Naomi Gleit noted that “more fun features” will be added in the future.
- She added that the plans are aimed at users who want more functionality from its social platforms, particularly creators and heavy users seeking deeper engagement tools.
- The company said it will also start testing other offerings, including professional plans for creators and businesses, and AI-focused plans for all users.
These new tests will be branded as “Meta One,” which will serve as the company’s home for its subscription offerings going forward.
More insights
As part of the rollout, Meta is testing two AI subscription plans priced at $7.99 and $19.99 per month, designed for users of its Meta AI system.
The premium tier offers greater computing capacity for complex queries, improved reasoning capabilities, and expanded image and video generation features across Meta’s platforms.
Testing for the AI plans is expected to begin next month in selected markets, including Singapore, Guatemala, and Bolivia.
Meta said the new plans do not replace its existing offering, Meta Verified, which is focused on verification, impersonation protection, and extra support.
For starters, the new Instagram Plus plan gives subscribers access to extra features, like the ability to see how many people have rewatched your Story in aggregate, as well as the ability to create unlimited audience lists for Stories, beyond the “Close Friends” option.
- Users will also be able to spotlight a story once a week for additional views, extend a story beyond 24 hours, preview a story without showing up as a viewer, search their story viewer list to see who is watching, and more.
- Users will also be able to post straight to their profile and highlight without showing up on their followers’ feeds.
- There are also other features like Super Heart animated reactions for Stories, custom app icons, customizable fonts for profile bios, and access to additional pins for your profile.
Facebook Plus offers a similar set of features to Instagram Plus. WhatsApp Plus, however, offers other features, like app themes, custom ringtones, additional pinned chats, list customization, premium stickers, and more.
What you should know
In a step similar to what Elon Musk did with X, formerly Twitter, Mark Zuckerberg in 2023 announced paid verification for Facebook and Instagram, turning the once free blue badge to a $12 monthly subscription service.
While it came as additional revenue for the company, Zuckerberg at the time said the paid verification was aimed at increasing authenticity and security across Meta services.
