Meta Platforms has begun a global rollout of subscription plans across Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, as the tech giant intensifies efforts to diversify revenue beyond digital advertising.
The new offering introduces consumer-facing “Plus” subscription tiers that provide users with access to additional features such as profile customisation, enhanced reactions, story insights, and expanded engagement tools.
Under the pricing structure, users will be able to subscribe to Instagram Plus, Facebook Plus or WhatsApp Plus for monthly fees ranging between $2.99 and $3.99, depending on the platform.
Announcing the rollout, Meta’s Head of Product, Naomi Gleit, said the company would continue to expand the feature set of the subscription plans.
“More fun features will be added in the future,” she said.
She added that the subscription offerings are targeted at users seeking more functionality from Meta’s platforms, particularly creators and high-engagement users.
The company also disclosed that it will begin testing additional offerings, including professional plans for creators and businesses, alongside AI-focused subscription tiers for general users.
These initiatives will fall under a new umbrella branding known as “Meta One,” which will serve as the central hub for Meta’s subscription ecosystem.
As part of the expansion, Meta is also testing two AI subscription plans priced at $7.99 and $19.99 per month for users of its Meta AI system.
The premium AI tier is expected to offer higher computing capacity for complex queries, improved reasoning capabilities, and enhanced image and video generation tools across Meta platforms.
Testing for the AI subscription plans is scheduled to begin next month in selected markets, including Singapore, Guatemala and Bolivia.
Meta said the new subscription offerings will not replace its existing Meta Verified service, which provides identity verification, impersonation protection and additional account support.
For Instagram Plus users, the plan includes features such as the ability to view aggregate Story rewatch counts, create unlimited Story audience lists beyond Close Friends, and extend Story visibility beyond the standard 24-hour limit.
Subscribers will also be able to spotlight Stories weekly for additional reach, preview Stories without appearing in viewer lists, search Story viewers, and post content directly to profiles without appearing in followers’ feeds.
Other features include Super Heart animated reactions, custom app icons, personalised fonts for bios, and additional profile pin options.
Facebook Plus is expected to offer a similar feature set to Instagram Plus, while WhatsApp Plus will include app themes, custom ringtones, expanded chat pinning, list customisation tools and premium sticker packs.
The rollout marks another shift in Meta’s monetisation strategy, following the introduction of paid verification for Facebook and Instagram in 2023.
At the time, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the move—similar to Elon Musk’s paid verification model on X, formerly Twitter—was aimed at strengthening authenticity and security across its platforms, while also opening new revenue streams.
Boluwatife Enome
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