Meta has recently been quietly testing a new Instagram paid plan called “Instagram Plus” in multiple markets. according to TechCrunch According to reports, the emergence of this advanced version allows the outside world to finally see more clearly what the subscription model Meta wants to create for Instagram looks like.
Meta begins testing Instagram Plus subscription mechanism, focusing on the advantages of Stories function
In fact, Meta had publicly stated a few months ago that it would trial paid subscription services on WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook, but did not disclose many details at the time. Now, Instagram Plus test content is gradually emerging, and surprisingly, its core seems to revolve around a very specific direction: Stories (limited time updates). Judging from the information currently exposed, the functions of Instagram Plus are almost completely locked on Stories, as if Meta has determined that this is the most sticky content form on Instagram and the most likely to make users willing to pay to upgrade.
Paid members can enjoy two viewing experiences that ordinary users do not have:
- Watch Stories anonymously: They won’t appear in watchlists, allowing users to browse content more freely.
- Use the animated version of “Super Like”: special animation effects will appear when you like in Stories, making the interaction more present.
For creators, Instagram Plus also provides a series of new statistics and exposure tools. For example:
- Check how many times a Story has been “replayed”
- Make Stories visible for an additional 24 hours
- Keep specific Stories at the top for up to a week to increase reach
These features seem to be designed to allow creators to more accurately control the performance of their content, while also giving them more ways to attract fan interaction.
Another noteworthy feature of Instagram Plus is that it allows subscribers to create an unlimited number of Stories sharing lists. This is similar in concept to the existing “Close Friends” feature but is more flexible, allowing users to create more focus lists based on different groups, themes or purposes, and assign specific Stories to specific lists for viewing. This could be a very useful tool for creators, brands, or heavy users, as it allows for more precise distribution of content and avoids the pressure of “all followers seeing it.”
The features currently exposed appear to be complete, but it is generally believed that this should not be the final version of Instagram Plus. Meta is likely still testing other undisclosed features and adjusting the direction based on the response of different markets. It is worth mentioning that these features will only be available to paid members. General Instagram users do not need to bear any additional burdens and will not be forced to see the special features of Plus members. This is very important to quell the opposition, because since Meta announced that it would launch a subscription system, there have been many doubts in the community.
Meta has not officially announced the test areas for Instagram Plus, but according to user reports on the community, the currently known test markets include:
- Japan: 319 yen per month
- Philippines: Php 65 per month
- Mexico: MXN 39 per month
This translates to roughly between US$1 and US$3, so it is speculated that if Instagram Plus lands in the United States or other major markets in the future, the price should remain in a similar range.
While Meta clearly hopes to create a new revenue model through Stories, Instagram users are still quite skeptical. Many people believe that concentrating paid functions on Stories may not really attract the public to upgrade, and may even make some users feel that the experience is cut off. However, it is worth noting that Snapchat’s paid plan, Snapchat+, has exceeded 25 million subscribers last year, proving that there is indeed a market demand for “paid enhancements to social platforms”. Whether Instagram Plus can replicate such success remains to be seen, but Meta is clearly ready to move forward on this road.
Source: KOCPC Chinese