Signalling a shift toward new revenue streams, Meta is preparing to test premium subscriptions across its major social platforms. The company said it will introduce paid plans on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp that unlock exclusive tools focused on productivity, creativity, and expanded AI features, while keeping the core services free.
Meta told a technology publication that the new subscriptions will offer users more control over how they connect and share content. The company said it will experiment with different bundles and feature sets, and that each app will have its own unique mix of premium tools rather than a single unified plan.
As part of this strategy, Meta plans to scale Manus, an AI agent it recently acquired for a reported $2 billion. Manus will be integrated into Meta’s products and will also be sold through standalone business subscriptions. The company has already been seen testing a shortcut for Manus AI inside Instagram, based on findings shared by a reverse engineer who tracks unreleased features.
Meta will also test paid access to certain AI tools, including Vibes video generation. Vibes is the company’s AI-powered short-form video feature inside the Meta AI app that allows users to create and remix AI-generated videos. Until now, Vibes has been free. Meta plans to shift it to a freemium model, where users can access limited features for free and subscribe for more video creation options each month.
While Meta has not yet detailed what paid features will look like on Facebook and WhatsApp, reports suggest that Instagram’s subscription may allow unlimited audience lists, show which followers do not follow back, and enable viewing Stories without alerting the creator.
These new subscriptions will be separate from Meta Verified. Meta said it will use lessons learned from Meta Verified to expand its subscription offerings for everyday users, creators, and businesses. Meta Verified is mainly aimed at creators and companies and includes benefits such as a verified badge, 24/7 support, impersonation protection, and search visibility.
The company’s move reflects a wider trend in social media monetisation. Snapchat+ has shown demand for paid social features, starting at $3.99 per month and reaching over 16 million subscribers, more than doubling since early 2024.
Meta said it will roll out the subscriptions gradually and collect user feedback as testing begins in the coming months.
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