Meta launches subscription packages for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp
Meta announced on Wednesday 27 May the global launch of consumer subscription packages for its core applications, Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, as well as beginning testing of new subscription services for businesses, creators, and Meta AI users.
According to TechCrunch, subscribers to Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus, priced at US$3.99 (approximately Rp71,000) and US$2.99 (around Rp53,000) per month respectively, will gain access to additional features such as profile customisation, Super Reactions, story insights, and other enhancements.
Meta’s Head of Product, Naomi Gleit, stated that ‘more fun features’ would be added in the future.
The new ‘Plus’ packages are tailored for each app. Facebook Plus and Instagram Plus focus on social expression, while WhatsApp Plus emphasises personalisation and messaging features.
However, the company stated that the new packages do not replace their existing Meta Verified service, which focuses on account verification, identity theft protection, and additional support.
Users can highlight one Story per week for increased visibility, extend Story duration beyond 24 hours, view Story previews without being counted as a viewer, access Story viewer lists, and other features.
Additionally, users can upload directly to profiles and highlights without appearing in followers’ feeds.
Other features include animated Super Heart reactions for Stories, custom app icons, special profile bio fonts, and additional profile pins.
These features are designed to assist creators and users looking to grow their follower base, understand their audience, and appeal to heavy users.
Facebook Plus offers similar features to Instagram Plus, while WhatsApp Plus introduces distinct features such as app themes, custom ringtones, pinned chats, list customisation, and premium stickers.
For Meta AI users, the company will test Meta One Plus at US$7.99 (around Rp142,000) per month and Meta One Premium at US$19.99 (approximately Rp355,000) per month.
Both packages share similar features, but Premium offers greater high-compute capacity.
This means Premium will provide deeper reasoning capabilities for complex tasks and more ‘thinking modes’ across Meta AI’s app and web platforms.
The package also offers enhanced video and image creation capabilities across Meta’s apps.
Meta AI will remain free for casual users. Like other AI providers, the company offers subscription packages for those requiring higher computation and heavier usage.
AI package testing will begin next month in Singapore, Guatemala, and Bolivia.
Two other packages for creators and businesses will begin testing this weekend in markets including Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Thailand, and Bangladesh.
The higher-tier Meta One Advanced package at US$49.99 (approximately Rp889,000) per month includes all Essential benefits plus enhanced features such as increased visibility in Facebook feeds.
Additional capabilities include higher ranking in Facebook and Instagram search results, bold ‘Follow’ buttons on Reels, and automated follow invitations for users interacting with content.
The package also helps creators and businesses direct users to their websites or stores via links in Instagram posts and Reels, as well as enhanced profiles with expanded linksheets.
Additionally, it provides improved analytics, including deeper insights on Instagram and custom audience insights on Facebook.
Advanced package customers will also gain access to optimised scheduling tools, shared access features with other account moderators without sharing passwords, and notifications when others reuse their content on Facebook or Instagram, enabling them to request credit for original reels.
Gleit acknowledged that Meta is still experimenting with AI and professional packages for now, but the company plans to consolidate everything under Meta One, which will be continuously updated and developed over time.