Now, Meta is starting the roll-out of consumer subscription programs worldwide through its three main platforms Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. It would be safe to say that this is the biggest change in how Meta makes money other than ads, since it has always depended entirely on advertising revenues to date. With this roll-out of subscriptions by Meta, consumers will now have the choice to make payments every month and access extra benefits on each platform. Consumers can pay $3.99 per month to use Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus, and $2.99 per month to use WhatsApp Plus.
Two goals are being pursued through the subscription-based plans offered by Meta at once; these include offering premium users some additional functionalities that would be unavailable for free accounts, and diversifying its revenue generation process beyond digital advertising, since all of its key platforms have now achieved full audience saturation.
Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus cater to creators and social interaction
There is a whole set of functionalities provided by Instagram Plus specifically designed for people who are active managing their social presence on the app. Users will get aggregate viewing statistics of Stories, unlimited audience lists beyond the basic option of the regular “Close Friends,” an option to get their Stories featured weekly for increased exposure, Stories that will stay visible for longer than 24 hours, and the opportunity to watch any Story without being recorded as one of the viewers. There is also an option to upload a post to your story without it going into your followers’ feed.
More features that can be found on Instagram Plus include Super Heart reaction stickers for stories, personalized app icon selection, customization of font style on profile bio, and profile pinning features. The Facebook Plus package also replicates all these Instagram Plus features, with an emphasis on socializing, making these Meta subscription packages consistent for both platforms’ users.
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WhatsApp Plus targets personalisation and customisation of messages
WhatsApp Plus takes a different route compared to Instagram and Facebook Plus, which are inclined towards social expression. Features for subscribers include the ability to use themes for the app, choose custom ringtones, have more pinned messages, customize your chat list, and use premium sticker packs. At just $2.99 per month, WhatsApp Plus is clearly the least expensive subscription in the Meta Subscription Plans group, serving as an entry point aimed at the massive WhatsApp user base.
Meta One AI will be tested at the price of $7.99 and $19.99 for professional tiers which cost $49.99
Apart from the consumer subscriptions that are offered by Meta, the tech giant has begun testing some more advanced versions under its new brand called “Meta One” which will act as Meta’s single hub for all subscription offerings moving ahead. The two versions being offered include “Meta One Plus” which costs $7.99 per month and “Meta One Premium” which costs $19.99 per month. Both these plans will appeal to customers of the Meta AI platform and offer increased computing power for better reasoning, thinking mode and better video/image generation abilities across Meta’s applications.
Meta subscription services will launch its test run within the week in Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Thailand, and Bangladesh. The Meta One Essential plan costs $14.99 per month and includes benefits like a verification badge, impersonation protection, and an upgraded linksheet. For a monthly fee of $49.99, Meta One Advanced offers benefits like being prioritized in Facebook and Instagram search results, featuring in the Facebook feed, a bold Follow button on Reels, sending follow requests to followers, and detailed competitor analysis and audience insights on Instagram and Facebook, respectively.
Meta Verified coexists with Meta subscription services
The launch of the Meta subscription services does not discontinue the Meta Verified programme that is currently designed to help verify users and protect against impersonation. According to Meta, at present, the two initiatives will coexist as a joint venture; however, there is no clear indication of whether Meta will eventually unite them into one Meta One subscription programme. According to Gleit, both tiers of the programme based on professional activities and artificial intelligence are undergoing trials. Meta aims to incorporate the entire range of subscription services into one Meta One package while improving its advantages.
