Meta may soon charge for premium features on Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp

Meta, the prominent player in the social media landscape, has unveiled its long-anticipated paid subscription options for its platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. On May 27, the company announced its plans to roll out subscription services globally, targeting businesses, creators, and users of Meta AI. These new offerings, branded as Instagram Plus, Facebook Plus, and WhatsApp Plus, are expected to be available under a consolidated ‘Meta One’ plan. According to reports from TechCrunch, users will need to subscribe monthly to unlock premium features across these platforms. The pricing structure suggests that Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus will each cost approximately $3.99 per month (around Rs 383), while WhatsApp Plus is projected to be priced at $2.99 per month (about Rs 287). Subscribers can look forward to enhanced functionalities, which may include options like profile customization, detailed story insights, and the ability to use super reactions, among other perks. In addition to standard app subscriptions, Meta is also exploring subscription plans for its AI services. These offerings are expected to enter beta testing next month, albeit initially limited to select regions. Reports indicate that the AI subscription plans may feature two tiers: Meta One Plus and Meta One Premium, anticipated to be priced at $7.99 (around Rs 768) and $19.99 (approximately Rs 1,922), respectively. Overall, this strategic move by Meta signifies a shift towards monetizing user engagement through premium services, aligning with its ongoing efforts to innovate and enhance user experience across its suite of applications.