Meta Inc has started testing a new premium subscription model for Instagram, called Instagram Plus. It will offer subscribers a host of premium features like customised viewer lists, longer Story durations, and more. After announcing plans to bring Instagram Reels to TV screens earlier this year, this signals Meta’s push for additional revenue sources. However, users are skeptical about the new features being worth the premium version. From key features to pricing, here is everything that you should know about the new Instagram Plus subscription.
Read more: Watch Out: Insta, TikTok Are Coming To Your TV Screens
Key Features Expected in the Instagram Plus Package
According to media reports, users with the paid Instagram subscription will be able to view another user’s Instagram stories anonymously and extend their own status/stories beyond the 24-hour window. They would get to share their Instagram Stories for an additional 24 hours, making it a total of 48 hours.
Instagram Plus subscribers will also get to customise their lists of followers into several groups, apart from the Close Friends list, and choose who they want to share a particular story with. This will allow users to control their Story audience more precisely rather than sharing it either with all the followers or a Close Friends list. This feature is likely to especially come handy for content creators and public figures.
Subscribers will also get to ‘Spotlight their Story’ and send super hearts to others’ stories. Lastly, the premium package would also include a feature to search the Story viewer list and refined ‘Story Rewatch Insights’.
Testing Confirmed in Three Countries
Although Instagram Help Page simply shows that the paid subscription is currently not available to all, the testing has been confirmed in at least three countries – Philippines, Japan and Mexico – by social media users.
Additionally, Meta has also taken an unconventional route with its pricing strategy, offering Instagram Plus subscription at different rates in different countries. According to a TechCrunch report, Instagram has rolled out the subscription at $2.20 per month in Mexico, $2 in Japan and $1.07 in the Philippines.
Also, the Instagram Plus subscription would be different from the current Meta Verified feature, which includes the blue tick/verification badge.
Meta’s Plans For WhatsApp Plus
Apart from Instagram, Meta Inc is also developing a paid subscription model for WhatsApp, WhatsApp Plus. The premium version of the texting app will offer up to 14 customisation options to change app icon, theme and accent colours.
More importantly, WhatsApp Plus will allow users to pin up to 20 WhatsApp chats at the top, besides exclusive ringtones, stickers and more immersive reaction options. However, these subscriptions will remain optional for both WhatsApp and Instagram.
From Free to Freemium: Social Media Giants Embrace Subscription Push
After amassing a massive user base across the globe, social media platforms are now eyeing to go beyond their traditional advertisement models. Instagram Plus is a part of an industry-wide shift towards subscriptions.
Mini-blogging platform X, formerly Twitter, offers a 3-tier subscription model. Its Basic version costs users $3/month, Premium $8/month and Premium+ $16/month. Earlier this year, Snap Inc announced that the premium Snapchat+ feature has crossed 25 million subscribers.
What Does This Mean For Users?
While Meta is eyeing to diversify its revenue stream by joining the premium bandwagon, critics have cautioned that this trend may lead to subscription fatigue, especially because the free usage model has been a major part of social media’s appeal. On the other hand, many users may be willing to pay for enhanced privacy.
Ultimately, the success of Instagram Plus will depend on whether users are willing to shell out extra bucks for features that were once free and can find value for their money.
Also read: Lost Your WhatsApp Messages? Learn How to Recover Them Easily
