Premium Subscriptions Coming to Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp

[MacRumors]

Meta plans to test premium subscriptions across Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, the company has told TechCrunch.

The subscriptions will reportedly include exclusive features to aid creativity, productivity, and expanded AI capabilities.

Meta says each app will have its own distinct set of premium features, giving users "more control over how they share and connect, while keeping the core experiences free." However, it sounds as if Meta hasn't yet settled on what each sub will offer, with the company planning to experiment with various bundles.

For Instagram, for example, premium subscribers could create unlimited audience lists, see which followers don't follow them back, and view Stories anonymously. Paid features on WhatsApp and Facebook are likely to provide equivalent functionality.

Meta also intends to incorporate Manus, an AI agent it recently acquired for a reported $2 billion, into its subscription plans. The company will continue selling Manus subscriptions to businesses separately.

AI-powered video appears to be another upcoming offering, courtesy of Meta's Vibes feature, which targets creators and businesses with verification badges and priority support. Vibes has been free since it launched last year, but Meta now plans to offer freemium access to Vibes video creation, with the option to subscribe to unlock additional video creation opportunities each month.

It won't be the first time a social platform has adopted subscription-based access. X (Twitter) has its paid-for tiers, and Snap has shown that the model can work, with Snapchat+ gaining 16 million subscribers at $3.99 per month.

Article Link: Premium Subscriptions Coming to Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp

 

[MaxMini]

Ok, now that's the funniest headline I've seen in a while. Thanks for the belly laugh, Zuck.

 

[dumiku]

So we are now going to pay for AI after they used our personal data free of charge to train these AIs.

 

[Justin Cymbal]

Facebook should add the ability for users to pay either a one-time fee or a monthly fee to have the ability to upload higher quality resolution photos than we can currently upload. The image quality- (especially for when we are sharing travel pictures with friends and family) is awful and I would PAY to be able to share images that actually show the detail of the high quality iPhone camera that I’m paying a lot for!

It was the main reason people joined these social networks in the first place!

Tech giants head to landmark US trial over social media addiction claims

Meta, YouTube and TikTok accused of making products intentionally addictive and harmful to young people

www.theguardian.com

 

[appleuser21]

Imagine paying for Facebook... 🤣

 

[nickf]

For Instagram, for example, premium subscribers could create unlimited audience lists, see which followers don't follow them back, and view Stories anonymously.

Want to stalk your ex without them knowing? No problem!

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

So we are now going to pay for AI after they used our personal data free of charge to train these AIs.

Always part of the plan. Then when people push back they add a “free” ad tier. Still surprised people even pay for this stuff routinely, especially the Meta junk.

 

[SilmarilFinder]

In the UK we can pay £3.99/month to use Meta without ads, but honestly I have zero faith in it. Even if I’m paying, I don’t believe for a second that my data is actually safe with them nor stop seeing ads.

 

[podycust]

In the UK we can pay £3.99/month to use Meta without ads, but honestly I have zero faith in it. Even if I’m paying, I don’t believe for a second that my data is actually safe with them nor stop seeing ads.

yep I was thinking the something when I saw the pop up about that plan

 

[eyeangle]

Yes Meta is junk. Comes only a few days after I deleted Fb, Insta & WhatsApp. I had Fb for 18 years.

 

[ridgero]

Yes, WhatsApp has begun its ********ation, and for the first time since its acquisition by Meta, there is a chance that users will finally move to an alternative!

 

[abcmax]

Imagine paying for Facebook... 🤣

"It's free and always will be".

 

[dschulian]

Want to get more racist content?
Subscribe now for just $4.99/month!

 

[andrewxgx]

cant wait for a reality check on how much people are willing to pay for AI junk

 

[freezelighter]

Imagine paying for Facebook... 🤣

 

[clukas]

Time to ditch? I really hope all these subscription charges push people towards good open source alternatives, at least for messaging.

 

[svish]

Not interested with a subscription model and definitely not going to pay for a Meta service. But definitely there will be many who subscribe and that will generate continuous revenue for the company.

 

[Wx_Man]

Already here for Apple. If the plan contains the word “Creator” or “Pro” it will require a subscription.

Probably before the end of the decade Apple hardware with the word “Pro” attached to it will only be available through subscription.

Or at the very least the “Pro” features of Apple Silicon will be “disabled” by default at the kernel level of MacOS and your subscription will allow you to download the kernel level code to the existing MacOS version that upon reboot will now unlock those “Pro” features already there in the hardware. This already is happening with Intel’s Xeon server CPUs.

 

[breather]

Facebook should add the ability for users to pay either a one-time fee or a monthly fee to have the ability to upload higher quality resolution photos than we can currently upload. The image quality- (especially for when we are sharing travel pictures with friends and family) is awful and I would PAY to be able to share images that actually show the detail of the high quality iPhone camera that I’m paying a lot for!

It was the main reason people joined these social networks in the first place!

Tech giants head to landmark US trial over social media addiction claims

Meta, YouTube and TikTok accused of making products intentionally addictive and harmful to young people

www.theguardian.com

I run a photo-sharing group, and I’d happily pay a small fee if it meant photos could be displayed in proper quality. So much of the magic gets lost when an image is heavily compressed, banding in gradients, reduced detail, and muddy colors completely change how a photo is experienced.

For photography especially, quality isn’t a luxury. It’s part of the image.

 

[polyphenol]

As I use none of those, I don't care.

Only the implication that more and more things will apply subscriptions - things that I do use.

 

[theluggage]

yep I was thinking the something when I saw the pop up about that plan

The popup appeared with perfect timing - just as I needed one last nudge to quit facebook.

 

[artifex]

Yes Meta is junk. Comes only a few days after I deleted Fb, Insta & WhatsApp. I had Fb for 18 years.

I've had at least 2, possibly 3 class action payouts from signing up early on. This new thing sounds like it could be good for a couple more.

 

[UliBaer]

What an investors wet dream: Customers paying for getting spammed! 🤦‍♂️ 🤣

 

[kalsta]

 

[Ctrlos]

So we are now going to pay for AI after they used our personal data free of charge to train these AIs.

Imagine actually paying Meta to take your personal data from you!

(I'll draw a line at their VR hardware because its actually quite good)