Meta officially offers perks for paying subscribers across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp

Meta is establishing paid subscription tiers across its network of social media platforms. A trio of new subscriptions — titled Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus, and WhatsApp Plus — will unlock premium features for paying customers who frequent Meta’s most-used apps.

The official announcement validates previous rumors that forecasted the launch of a paid subscription tier on Instagram. Back in January, mobile developer and tech leaker Alessandro Paluzzi dug around in Instagram’s code and discovered a reference to “a new paid subscription that will offer new perks, including the ability to create unlimited audience lists.”

An Instagram video hosted by Meta Head of Product Naomi Gleit provides more details about the paid subscription Paluzzi uncovered. Gleit said that subscribers will gain access to “enhanced features” that provide benefits for creators, businesses, and fans. “These subscription plans offer richer ways to express and connect across our apps with more fun features to be added,” Gleit claimed.

The Plus subscriptions on Facebook and Instagram will cost $3.99 per month. For that price, users will get access to the unlimited audience lists Paluzzi mentioned and will be able to see enhanced data related to Stories viewership. A “Super Heart” reaction option for Stories — Instagram’s answer to YouTube’s Super Thanks — will also be available.

Additional paid features will cater to creators. By extending Stories beyond 24 hours and spotlighting one Story per week, buyers will be able to take advantage of expanded reach.

Facebook Plus will be similar to the Instagram version of the paid tier, but WhatsApp Plus will be a unique offering. It will cost just $2.99 per month and will be loaded with features based around communication, including custom ringtones and additional pinned chats.

The “Plus” naming convention for Meta’s subscriptions will draw comparisons to Snapchat Plus, a comparable paid tier on Snap’s flagship app. If this is yet another example of Instagram copying Snapchat, Meta’s strategy is well reasoned. Snapchat Plus has grown rapidly since its 2022 introduction, and it has been a boon for Snap’s bottom line ever since.

Meta’s earnings could uses a boost, and Wall Street seems to think the Plus plans could provide that shot in the arm. Meta shares jumped after the company announced its subscription update.

Ultimately, Meta plans to increase the quantity of its subscription offerings. Gleit alluded to a MetaOne plan that would unite subscriptions across the company’s social apps, AI platforms, and creator hubs. “This is just the beginning,” she said, “with a lot more value to come.”