Instagram is introducing new features through a paid subscription model. The platform is currently testing Instagram Plus, offering users the ability to prolong the duration of their story posts, elevate their stories to the top of followers’ feeds, and track the number of story replays. Subscribers can also clandestinely view other users’ stories and create multiple friend lists to control story visibility.
This shift reflects a broader industry trend moving away from universal, free services. Financial planner and newsletter author Hanna Horvath noted the prevalence of subscription-based pricing models across various sectors, potentially contributing to subscription fatigue among consumers.
A jury in Los Angeles has found Meta and YouTube liable in a landmark social media addiction trial, awarding a plaintiff $3 million in compensatory damages and an additional $3 million in punitive damages after they determined the social media giant and video streamer triggered addiction in young users, leading to mental health distress. Matthew Bergman, one of the plaintiff’s lawyers, shares more about the win.
Horvath highlighted the trend of “tierifying” services across different industries, where companies offer varying paid tiers while potentially diminishing the quality of the free basic tier to incentivize premium subscriptions.
Expansion of Paid Features Across Platforms
Although Meta has not disclosed the specific locations for testing Instagram Plus, users in Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines have shared screenshots of the trial. In Mexico, the subscription is priced at approximately $3 Canadian per month.
Various platforms, including LinkedIn and popular dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge, have already embraced premium subscription models, setting a precedent for the integration of paid features.
When Elon Musk acquired Twitter, he limited messaging and post visibility for non-paying users, introducing paid subscriptions in 2022 before rebranding the platform as X. Additionally, Snap introduced Snapchat+ last year, offering exclusive features to paid subscribers. Meta has also expressed interest in exploring paid options for Facebook and WhatsApp in addition to Instagram.
