Meta rolls out paid Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp Plus plans

Meta has launched a global rollout of paid subscription tiers for its core social media apps and begun testing new premium plans for its AI services and professional users, marking a significant shift in its monetization strategy. The company announced on Wednesday that Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus are now available for $3.99 per month each, while WhatsApp Plus costs $2.99 per month.

These consumer-focused plans offer additional features tailored to each app. Instagram Plus subscribers gain tools such as the ability to see aggregate story rewatch counts, create unlimited audience lists for stories, spotlight a story once a week for extra views, and preview stories without registering as a viewer. Facebook Plus offers a similar set of social expression features, while WhatsApp Plus provides personalization options like custom app themes, ringtones, additional pinned chats, and premium stickers. Company officials confirmed these new Plus plans are separate from the existing Meta Verified subscription for account verification.

Concurrently, Meta is initiating tests for a broader suite of subscription services under the new "Meta One" branding. This includes two tiers for its...