If you make a lot of money as a company from advertisement already, your next question as a company should not only be how to expand that revenue, but to find outer ways to complement it.
That’s what Google, Microsoft and co. are doing already. Meta, parent company of Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, is now joining the party. New subscriptions are available for all products that, in some cases, replicate what X did with its premium subscriptions: it gives subscribers an advantage over those who are not.
First, here is the overview:
Consumer “Plus” Subscriptions
These plans are targeted at everyday users who want more personalization and control over their social media experience
- WhatsApp Plus – $2.99 per month – chat organization and interface personalization
- Instagram Plus – $3.99 per month – advanced story controls and profile customization
- Facebook Plus – $3.99 per month — enhanced social tools and profile personalization
Key Advantages
- WhatsApp Plus: Upgrades the messaging experience with custom app themes, personalized ringtones, the ability to pin additional chats, and access to exclusive premium stickers.
- Instagram Plus: Transforms how users interact with Stories by allowing them to preview others’ stories anonymously, see who rewatched their own stories, and keep stories active beyond the standard 24-hour limit. It also includes “Super Heart” reactions, custom app icons, and profile pins.
- Facebook Plus: Mirrors the social and personalization upgrades seen on Instagram, offering enhanced story features, super reactions, and expanded profile customization options.
Then there is Meta One, which are structured around heavy AI usage and brand growth. Plans start at $7.99 per month and go all the way up to $49.99 per month.
Especially the Essential and Advanced tiers are of interested to creators and businesses:
- Meta One Essential: Replaces and expands upon the standard Meta Verified offering. It provides a blue Verified badge, proactive impersonation protection, priority customer support, and enhanced link sheets to consolidate an online presence
- Meta One Advanced: Functions as a growth and management engine. It guarantees higher visibility in Facebook feeds and search results, adds prominent “Follow” buttons on Reels, and automates follow invitations. It also grants access to advanced audience insights, automated scheduling, and allows moderators to manage accounts without needing to share passwords.
These grant higher visibility, which gives subscribers an advantage over anyone who is not subscribed already. Whether that is worth the extra $50 per month needs to be tested, but it could force the hand of many creators on Instagram or Facebook who want to grow their audience.
One question that may come to mind is this: when is the tipping point reached? Subscriptions work, but only that many are sustainable. With more and more companies jumping on the bandwagon, it is only a matter of time before fatigue kicks in or money runs out. What is the plan then?