Meta Platforms Inc . is shaking up social media with new subscription plans for Facebook,Instagram,and WhatsApp. Now,users will pay monthly fees on top of usual ad revenue .
The new "Plus" versions will offer subscribers unique features and customization options. In India,Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus will cost $3.99 (around ₹387) a month,while WhatsApp Plus will be $2.99 (about ₹290) monthly. Meta hasn't shared detailed pricing for India yet.
These premium plans aim to get users interacting more with fresh messaging tools and better content visibility. For example,Instagram Plus users can create unlimited Story audience lists, going beyond just the Close Friends feature. They’ll also see how often their Stories are rewatched and can preview them without showing up in the viewer list. Plus,they can highlight one Story each week, keeping it visible longer than the usual 24 hours .
Meta is also rolling out cosmetic upgrades to improve user experience. Instagram Plus will have extra profile pins, unique app icons,custom fonts for bios,and animated "Super Heart" reactions. These changes should make the platform feel more engaging and personalized.
WhatsApp Plus will focus on messaging customization, offering custom themes,exclusive ringtones,premium stickers, and better chat organization. Facebook Plus is expected to provide similar features for users wanting more tailored social media experience.
Naomi Gleit,Meta's head of product, said the company plans to roll out "more fun features" soon, hinting at ongoing improvements to these subscription services. These new subscriptions are different from the existing Meta Verified service, which is all about identity verification and protection against impersonation.
Beyond social media,Meta is expanding its subscription strategy with "Meta One," featuring AI-driven plans for creators and businesses. The Meta One Plus plan will cost $7.99 (about ₹775) monthly,aimed at users who frequently use Meta AI for tasks like image generation and video creation. A more advanced option, Meta One Premium, will run $19.99 (around ₹1,939) monthly, offering similar features but with higher usage limits.
This shift to subscription services shows how Meta is responding to changing user expectations and a competitive social media landscape . As the company looks to diversify its revenue,the success of these premium offerings will hinge on user adoption and perceived value in the added features.
