What you need to know
- Meta’s head of product, Naomi Gleit, announced the company’s array of “Plus” subscription plans for Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook.
- These plans will give users more ways to “express and connect” for $3.99 per month (Facebook, Insta) and $2.99 per month for WhatsApp.
- The company then teased “Meta One,” a subscription tests that includes four plans, two of which will arrive for testing for Meta AI users.
Meta is definitely making some moves this month, announcing a series of new subscription plans for its apps.
Naomi Gleit, Meta’s head of product, announced on Instagram that the company is rolling out subscription plans for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp (via TechCrunch). Gleit teases these subscriptions by asking, “What if subscriptions could give you more from your apps?” What’s rolling out globally are the Instagram Plus, WhatsApp Plus, and Facebook Plus plans.
The publication notes that these plans cost $3.99 a month (Facebook, Instagram) and $2.99 a month for WhatsApp. Gleit adds that these plans give users “richer ways” to “express and connect” with others on those platforms. The early glimpses on Instagram showed vibrant, expressive animations for liking Stories, which TechCrunch says is called “Super Heart.” What’s more, their report says Instagram Plus subscribers can “spotlight a story once a week for additional views, extend a story beyond 24 hours, preview a story without showing up as a viewer,” and more.
Meta’s announcement continued with a teaser for what’s to come: a test for the “Meta One” subscription plan. It’s been reported that this plan and the plans for Meta’s apps will not affect “Meta Verified,” which is to help creators keep their identities on its services. Meta One is reportedly going to encompass “creators, businesses, and Meta AI power users.”
This is where we’re going?
What’s more, it looks like the company has a whole smorgasbord of plans under Meta One. TechCrunch states Meta AI users will test “Meta One Plus” ($7.99/month) and “Meta One Premium” ($19.99/month). The latter would offer video/image generation for Meta AI, as well as “thinking mode,” which you could look at Gemini’s Deep Think for a close comparison. Reports add that Meta AI will not disappear from casual users.
There are two other Meta One tests planned, but it’s been stated that these will hit overseas markets. The publication states the company is preparing to introduce Meta One Essential for $14.99 a month and Meta One Advanced at $49.99 a month. This Advanced plan will mirror Essential’s offerings (which resemble Meta Verified), but also have more presence in Facebook/Instagram search, a bold “Follow” button on your profile, and more.
This is an interesting move from Meta, considering it just axed 8,000 employees last week. There were already murmurs that employees were unhappy at Meta following certain AI-based decisions. With 8,000 members gone, it looks like Meta will continue to focus strongly on AI and its advancements. The company’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, stated that he doesn’t “expect more layoffs this year,” but people aren’t holding their breath. Meta has had a brutal history of massive layoffs, impacting thousands upon thousands.
Android Central’s Take
I took a gander through the comments on Instagram (I know, I know) and reactions seem split. Some people, such as content creators, like what Meta talked about. Others don’t feel the same way. It sounds a little strange to think about shoveling a subscription for certain features or whatever, but it’s not completely out of left field. I suppose that the lower cost for “Plus” across Meta’s apps is a highlight. As more surfaces, and users get their hands on it, we’ll see if it’s truly worth it. But it’ll still only attract people who’d use it.