Meta tests Instagram Plus subscription in select markets
Meta is testing an Instagram Plus subscription service in select markets, including the Philippines and Mexico. The subscription aims to enhance user experience by offering unique features centered on Instagram Stories.
Instagram Plus subscribers will benefit from several capabilities, including the ability to create unlimited audience lists for Stories, see how many users have rewatched their Stories, and spotlight a Story once a week for increased visibility. This service is part of a growing trend towards subscription models in social media, which also includes offerings like X Premium and Snapchat Plus.
According to a Meta spokesperson, the test aims to identify which features subscribers find most valuable, while maintaining the core experience for free users. “Our hope from these tests is to understand what’s most valuable to people in a premium feature set,” the spokesperson stated.
Notable features of the Instagram Plus service include the ability to extend Stories for an additional 24 hours, preview Stories without being marked as a viewer, and access a searchable list of Story viewers. Additionally, users can engage with their audience through an animated Superlike on Stories.
Pricing for Instagram Plus is set at 65 PHP (approximately $1.07) per month in the Philippines and 39 MXN (roughly $2.15) in Mexico. Meta’s existing Meta Verified plan costs $14.99 per month and includes benefits aimed at creators and businesses.
Screenshots of the new service were shared by social media consultant Matt Navarra via Threads. Currently, Instagram Plus is not available in the United States and is limited to select regions as part of its testing phase.
Instagram’s pivot to subscription services reflects broader trends in social media, as platforms seek new revenue streams amid changing user behaviors and monetization strategies. Meta intends to explore the potential success of Instagram Plus through this trial period.