Meta is preparing to introduce a new layer of premium subscriptions across its core platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. The company announced it will begin testing paid tiers in the coming months, offering users access to exclusive features designed to enhance productivity, creativity, and AI capabilities, while the core app experiences will remain free.
This strategic move signals a significant shift for the tech giant as it explores new revenue models beyond advertising. Meta plans to test a variety of subscription features and bundles, with each app offering a distinct set of exclusive perks for its paying users.
AI Integration and the Manus Acquisition
A central component of Meta’s new subscription strategy involves the integration of advanced AI. The company plans to scale Manus, an AI agent it recently acquired for a reported $2 billion, as a key part of its premium offerings. The plan is two-fold: integrate Manus directly into Meta’s products for subscribers and continue selling standalone Manus subscriptions to businesses.
Additionally, Meta’s AI-powered video generation tool, Vibes, will transition to a freemium model. While users have enjoyed free access since its launch, the new structure will offer limited free video creation opportunities, with a subscription required to unlock additional monthly creations.
What to Expect from Premium Tiers
While official details for all platforms are yet to be revealed, early insights suggest what subscribers can expect. For Instagram, unreleased features spotted by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi include the ability to create unlimited audience lists, see a list of followers who don’t follow you back, and view Stories without being listed as a viewer.
Meta has clarified that these new subscriptions will be separate from the existing Meta Verified service. While Meta Verified is geared towards creators and businesses seeking verification badges and support, the upcoming subscriptions will be designed to appeal to a broader audience of everyday users.
Relevance for the MENA Market
This development is particularly significant for the MENA region, which boasts one of the world’s most active and engaged social media populations. For the millions of users and businesses in markets like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, a shift towards a premium model could reshape digital interaction.
The region’s burgeoning creator economy stands to gain from exclusive tools that could offer new ways to engage with and monetize audiences. Furthermore, the countless small and medium-sized businesses across MENA that rely heavily on Instagram and WhatsApp for marketing and customer service may find new productivity features compelling enough to warrant a subscription, offering them a competitive edge. Meta’s test will serve as a crucial gauge of the MENA market’s willingness to pay for enhanced social media experiences amidst growing global subscription fatigue.
About Meta
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology.
Source: TechCrunch
