Meta is currently testing a brand new subscription service for its popular photo-sharing app, Instagram. The new tier, reportedly called “Instagram Plus,” promises to give paying users exclusive tools and special features. The main draw seems to focus heavily on upgrading how people use Instagram Stories. Over the past few days, sharp-eyed users in the Philippines and Mexico started noticing promotional screenshots for the service popping up on their screens.
Social media consultant Matt Navarra recently shared several screenshots that reveal exactly what the new subscription offers. According to his posts, Instagram Plus unlocks a long list of features that regular users simply cannot access. One of the biggest changes is that users can keep their Stories visible beyond the standard 24-hour limit. Subscribers can also create specific, separate audiences for different posts, meaning they can share one Story with family and a completely different Story with coworkers.
The screenshots outline even more perks for power users. People who pay for the service will be able to see exactly who rewatched their Stories. They can also use a new search bar to find specific names in their viewer list easily. Another interesting feature lets subscribers secretly preview someone else’s Story without their name ever showing up on the viewer list. Finally, the promotional materials mention special “spotlight” Stories and a brand new way to react using something called “super hearts.”
A spokesperson for Meta officially confirmed these tests to the press. They stated that Instagram Plus is currently live in a select few countries, though they refused to provide a full list of participating locations. The spokesperson confirmed all the features listed in the leaked screenshots. They clarified that the extension feature specifically allows users to keep a Story active for an additional 24 hours. They explained that Meta hopes these early tests will help the company determine exactly which premium tools users find valuable.
Right now, the experimental service costs very little. In the Philippines, the subscription runs about 65 PHP per month, which equals roughly $1.07 in the United States. In Mexico, early testers see a price tag of $39 MXN, or about $2.15 per month. To encourage people to try the new tools, Meta is currently offering prospective users a completely free one-month trial.
This new strategy looks incredibly familiar to anyone who follows social media trends. Meta seems to be copying Snapchat’s exact playbook. Back in 2022, Snapchat launched a very similar premium tier called Snapchat+. That service offered fun, bonus features to its most dedicated power users. Since its launch, Snapchat+ has successfully attracted millions of paying subscribers. It quickly became a massive, reliable source of money that does not rely entirely on selling digital advertisements.
Now, Meta desperately wants to build its own reliable stream of subscription money. Earlier this year, company executives announced plans to test several new types of paid services, including some that focus heavily on artificial intelligence tools. Beyond this new Instagram Plus test, Meta continues to push its existing “Meta Verified” subscription much harder. Recently, the company started offering aggressive discounts on the verified badge, sometimes dropping the first month to just $1, compared to its usual $14.99 starting price.
Meta continues to experiment with other ways to make users pay for basic features. Recently, the company tested a new tool that finally allows users to add clickable links directly to their Instagram photo captions, but only if they pay for a subscription. At the same time, Meta began testing new limits that restrict free users from sharing links on Facebook. These aggressive tests suggest the company is working hard to find exactly what will finally convince the average user to open their wallet.
