Meta is testing an Instagram Plus subscription service in select global markets, specifically the Philippines and Mexico. This subscription offers a range of features related to Stories, including extended duration and discreet viewing options.
Instagram Plus subscribers can access new functionalities such as creating unlimited custom audience lists for Stories that go beyond the existing Close Friends group. The service reflects a growing trend among social media platforms, which increasingly monetize premium features through subscription models.
Social media consultant Matt Navarra shared screenshots of Instagram Plus that were verified by a Meta spokesperson. The spokesperson noted that this testing phase is part of Meta’s strategy to balance free access with paid features. Instagram Plus is currently available in limited markets, with no rollout planned for the U.S. at this time, according to a support document on Meta’s website.
The Instagram Plus subscription delivers several new features tailored to enhance user interaction with Stories. Subscribers can view how many users have rewatched their Stories, spotlight content to boost visibility, and utilize an animated Superlike feature. They can also extend Stories’ visibility for an additional 24 hours without needing to add them to Highlights, and preview Stories without appearing on viewers’ lists.
Currently, Instagram Plus is priced at 65 PHP (approximately $1.07) in the Philippines and $39 MXN (about $2.15) in Mexico. This pricing strategy may provide insights into potential costs for future U.S. subscribers, though prices vary significantly by region.
Meta’s ongoing testing aims to identify which premium features users find most valuable. “Our hope from these tests is to understand what’s most valuable to people in a premium feature set,” the spokesperson stated. The results of this testing will inform Meta’s broader subscription strategy moving forward.
Meta also offers a separate subscription service called Meta Verified for $14.99 per month, which includes benefits like a blue checkmark and enhanced user support. The move towards subscriptions is part of a larger trend where social media platforms are exploring diverse revenue streams.
Instagram is under constant evolution as it assesses user feedback and market dynamics. Despite the benefits of subscription services, the core Instagram experience remains free for all users.
