Instagram has always been free to use, and it doesn’t look like that will change. However, that doesn’t mean Meta isn’t toying around with a paid option.
As spotted by users in the Philippines and Mexico, Meta is testing a new subscription service for Instagram. Called Instagram Plus, it includes “exclusive” features not available for regular users.
One such feature is the ability to extend Stories for an additional 24 hours. Other features include the ability to create multiple “audiences” for Stories, get more information on who has rewatched your Stories, and creating “spotlight” Stories.
In a statement sent to Engadget, Meta confirmed it is testing Instagram Plus in “a few countries.” It did not provide a list of those countries.
It doesn’t seem like Instagram Plus would cost an arm and a leg. In the Philippines, monthly pricing hovers around $1.07, while that goes up to around $2.15 in Mexico. There is also a one-month free trial for prospective users.
Meta has been pushing subscriptions more aggressively in recent times as it looks to increase revenue. The company has been running promotions that introduce a one-month trial to its Meta Verified service for $1. The most affordable Meta Verified subscription starts at $14.99 a month.
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