New Delhi, May 28 (APAC Media): Meta on Wednesday introduced paid subscription plans for its flagship platforms, Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp, signalling a step to reduce its dependence on advertising revenue.
Meta’s Head of Product, Naomi Gleit, announced the launch through a video shared on Instagram, confirming the global rollout of Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus, and WhatsApp Plus.
She also indicated that additional subscription offerings for businesses, creators, and artificial intelligence products are currently in development.
The move comes as Meta faces growing investor attention over its heavy spending on AI infrastructure. The company has forecast annual capital expenditure of between $125 billion and $145 billion, largely directed towards AI data centres.
Following the announcement, Meta shares climbed by nearly three per cent.
According to reports, Facebook Plus and Instagram Plus will each be available for $3.99 per month, while WhatsApp Plus will be priced at $2.99 monthly.
The premium versions of Facebook and Instagram are expected to offer additional features such as enhanced analytics, story rewatch insights, increased audience reach, and profile customisation tools.
Meanwhile, WhatsApp Plus will focus mainly on personalisation options, including exclusive stickers, customised ringtones, and app themes.
“Meta ultimately plans to unify its subscription offerings under a single brand called ‘Meta One’,” Gleit added.
Back in 2023, Meta introduced paid ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram across Europe in response to European Union data privacy regulations. The model allowed users to choose between a free ad-supported experience and a subscription-based ad-free option.
