Instagram Plus Pilot: Meta Tests Premium Story Tools and Subscription Features
Meta is testing a new subscription service with exclusive features for Instagram users. Screenshots from some users in the Philippines and Mexico have recently revealed evidence of this subscription, named “Instagram Plus,” according to Engadget.
Subscribers will gain access to several Story-related features. These include the ability to keep Stories active for more than 24 hours, view a list of users who have rewatched Stories, search within the viewer list, watch someone’s Stories “anonymously” (without appearing in the viewer list), and create “Spotlight” Stories. Additionally, users will be able to use special “Super Hearts” in Story reactions.
A Meta spokesperson told Engadget that the service is currently being tested in select countries. In the Philippines, the monthly fee is set at 65 pesos (approximately $1.07), while in Mexico it is priced at 39 Mexican pesos (approximately $2.15). Users will also have the option to try the service free for one month.
Instagram Plus is modeled after Snapchat Plus, which, since its launch in 2022, has attracted a large subscriber base and become a significant source of revenue beyond advertising for its parent company.
Meta stated that through this test, it aims to understand which premium feature sets are most valuable to users.
Recently, the company has also strengthened its Meta Verified subscription and hinted at plans to limit certain features exclusively to subscribers.
DBTech/BMT/OR
