Meta rolls out subscription plans for Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp users globally
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.
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.
Announcing the launch, Meta’s head of product Naomi Gleit noted that “more fun features” will be added in the future.
These new tests will be branded as “Meta One,” which will serve as the company’s home for its subscription offerings going forward.
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.
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.
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.
