Meta is significantly expanding its subscription services. On Wednesday, the tech giant announced the global launch of its consumer subscription options for its core applications—Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp—alongside the testing of new subscription plans aimed at businesses, creators, and Meta AI users.
Consumers will now have the opportunity to subscribe to Instagram Plus ($3.99 per month), Facebook Plus ($3.99 per month), or WhatsApp Plus ($2.99 per month) to access enhanced features. These include improved profile customization, unique reactions, and deeper insights into story engagement, among others.
Naomi Gleit, Meta’s head of product, indicated in the announcement that additional features will be integrated over time, enhancing the user experience further.
Additionally, Meta plans to roll out trials for professional subscription plans tailored for creators and businesses, as well as AI-centric options for all users under the new branding, "Meta One." This initiative marks a significant shift in how Meta organizes its subscription services moving forward.
It's important to note that the new Plus plans do not replace Meta Verified, which focuses on verification, protection from impersonation, and augmented support. While the future of the older plans is uncertain, they will remain available for now.
For instance, subscribers of the Instagram Plus plan will gain several beneficial features, such as the ability to track how many times their Stories have been rewatched, create unlimited audience lists that surpass the existing “Close Friends” feature, and spotlight one story per week for additional views. Users will also have the option to extend story visibility beyond the usual 24-hour limit, preview stories without being identified as viewers, and search their story viewer list.
The plan also introduces animated Super Heart reactions for Stories, customizable app icons, and unique font options for profile bios, alongside the ability to increase profile visibility through additional pins.
Similarly, Facebook Plus mirrors many of these features, while WhatsApp Plus shifts focus to personalization, introducing options like app themes, custom ringtones, additional pinned chats, and premium sticker packs.
In parallel with these developments, Meta is set to trial two subscription plans for its AI services—Meta One Plus ($7.99 per month) and Meta One Premium ($19.99 per month). While both plans offer similar features, the Premium version provides greater computational capabilities and enhanced video and image generation functionalities across Meta’s platforms. Casual users will still be able to access Meta AI for free, but these new subscription tiers align with trends seen in other AI service providers who charge for heavier usage.
The AI subscriptions are anticipated to commence testing next month in Singapore, Guatemala, and Bolivia. Furthermore, two other plans for creators and businesses will also be tested soon in regions such as Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Thailand, and Bangladesh.
The Meta One Essential plan ($14.99 per month) will include a Verified badge, impersonation protection, and a comprehensive linksheet for promoting users' digital presence across various platforms, similar to Meta Verified. The more premium Meta One Advanced plan ($49.99 per month) encompasses Essential plan benefits, plus features such as prioritized visibility on Facebook and Instagram feeds, a bold “Follow” button on Reels, and automated follow invitations to users who engage with content.
These offerings are designed to help creators and businesses redirect traffic to their websites or online shops, enhancing their visibility through links in posts and Reels and providing advanced analytics and insights on audience engagement.
Gleit acknowledged that while Meta is in the experimental phase for these AI and professional subscription plans, the ultimate goal is to bring all offerings under the Meta One umbrella, ensuring ongoing updates and enhancements.
