Meta Platforms plans to test new paid subscriptions that will offer users access to exclusive features across Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, as the company looks to diversify revenue beyond advertising.
The company said it will roll out premium experiences in the coming months that provide additional controls, productivity tools and creative options, while maintaining free core versions of its apps. Meta is expected to experiment with different subscription bundles, with each app offering a distinct set of paid features rather than a single unified model.
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As part of the initiative, Meta plans to scale Manus, an AI agent it recently acquired, by integrating it into its products while continuing to sell standalone subscriptions to businesses. The company is also preparing to test subscriptions for AI-powered features such as Vibes, its short-form AI video generation tool, which is expected to move to a freemium model with paid upgrades.
Some early indications suggest Instagram subscriptions could include advanced audience management and viewing controls, while details for Facebook and WhatsApp remain unclear. The new offerings will be separate from Meta Verified, which focuses on creators and businesses and provides verification and support tools.
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The push into additional subscriptions could help Meta generate new revenue, but the company faces the challenge of subscription fatigue among users. Rivals such as Snap have shown demand for paid social features, with Snapchat+ becoming a growing contributor to revenue, underscoring the competitive landscape Meta is entering.
Source: TechCrunch