According to TechCrunch, Meta has started testing the Instagram advanced subscription service “Instagram Plus” in a few countries, which will provide an exclusive function for users. At this point, only two months have passed since Meta indicated that it plans to test new subscriptions on Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp.
The advanced functions of Instagram include watching a quick shot (photos or video posts disappearing 24 hours later), which the publisher will not know you saw. Meta indicated that subscribers could also see how many people had reread their own clips. Subscription users can also create an unlimited number of fast-shoot audience lists in addition to the Cyclops list. This means that the user can group the person of concern into a different list, define the visible object for each quickshot, and not be limited to “all can see” or to a particular group. In addition, subscription users can extend the fast-shooting for 24 hours and can choose to top a fast-shot more than once a week, so that it can be displayed in front of the fast-shooter, thereby increasing its visibility.
Plus users can also send an animated “super awesome” to other people’s quickshots and can search for a quick viewer’s list to see if a particular person has seen them without having to scroll through the entire list. While Meta did not disclose countries where advanced subscription services were tested, information on social media indicated that the countries tested included Mexico, Japan and the Philippines. Pricing varies from country to country, but according to user-shared cross-graphs, Mexico spends 39 Mexican pesos per month (approximately US$ 2.2), Japan 319 yen per month (approximately US$ 2) and the Philippines 65 pesos per month (approximately US$ 1.07). Meta may also be testing the subscription service in other countries. It is noteworthy that Instagram ‘ s fee-based subscription is separate from Meta Verified. The latter are targeted at content creators and enterprises and provide, on a monthly basis, such functions as authentication badges and counterfeit protection. Instagram Plus is designed for ordinary users.
While the introduction of more subscriptions could generate more revenue for Meta, many users may be discouraged by “subscription fatigue”. A number of users have expressed dissatisfaction with this subscription service in social media. Of course, Snapchat and X have proven that social media subscriptions exist on the market. Snap recently announced a start-up price of $3.99 per month for a Snapchat+ subscriber, who provides sole-source functions, exceeding 25 million. Meta indicated that the advanced subscription service for Instagram would continue to be tested until further outreach.
