Meta Unveils Paid Subscription Plans for Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp

SAN FRANCISCO: Meta Platforms has announced the launch of paid subscription plans for its flagship social media and messaging platforms, marking a significant step in the company’s efforts to reduce its long-standing dependence on advertising revenue.

Meta’s head of product, Naomi Gleit, revealed the new services in a video posted on Instagram, confirming the global rollout of Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus and WhatsApp Plus.

According to the announcement, Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus will each cost US$3.99 per month, while WhatsApp Plus will be priced at US$2.99 monthly.

The subscription plans will provide users with a range of premium features. Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus are expected to offer enhanced analytics, story rewatch statistics, broader audience reach and additional profile customisation tools.

Meanwhile, WhatsApp Plus will focus on personalisation features, including premium stickers, custom ringtones and app themes designed to improve the user experience.

Gleit said Meta is also developing more subscription-based products targeting businesses, content creators and artificial intelligence services. The company eventually plans to unify its premium offerings under a single brand known as “Meta One”.

The move comes as Meta faces growing investor pressure over its heavy spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure. The company recently projected annual capital expenditures of between US$125 billion and US$145 billion, largely driven by investments in AI-powered data centres.

Following the announcement, Meta’s shares rose nearly 3 per cent.

In 2023, Meta introduced paid ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram in Europe in response to European Union data privacy regulations, allowing users to choose between a free ad-supported experience and a paid subscription model.