People using Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp may soon need to decide whether they want to pay extra for additional features beyond the free versions they've been using.
Meta confirmed that it's planning to roll out and test premium subscription tiers for its three most popular services, which, according to the company, would unlock "special features and more control over how they share and connect," according to a TechCrunch report earlier this week detailing the changes.
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A representative for Meta didn't elaborate on subscription plans but confirmed to CNET that TechCrunch's story is accurate.
According to the report, this would differ from the Meta Verified badge offering aimed at businesses and internet content creators. Meta Verified starts at $15 and includes enhanced support options and protections against impersonation.
Instead, the new subscriptions that Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp users can expect will offer a broader Premium experience, but it's unclear so far which specific features will be included. According to TechCrunch, AI will be a part of that mix with potential paywalls or extra access to AI image generators or AI agents as part of its plans. What bundles and subscriptions are offered could change based on customer feedback, Meta told TechCrunch.
Subscriptions for once-free social media services are now common, with LinkedIn, XÂ and Snapchat all giving people the option to pay more for extra features.
Will those on the platforms pay for more?
Whether people on Meta's platforms decide to pay for more than what they're already getting will likely depend on the usefulness of the features, how much going premium costs and whether the add-ons are worth it. That means Meta will have to convince people on Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp that premium is a true upgrade.
"Most platforms are optimized to keep people scrolling longer, not feeling better about how they spent their time," said Mike Ford, CEO of the marketing company Skydeo.Â
"A subscription becomes compelling when it flips that incentive, when it helps users set boundaries, make fewer decisions and walk away feeling like the platform worked for them instead of on them," he said.
That could mean anything from giving premium subscribers new ways to filter their friends and contacts or determine who sees what they post, or introducing AI-powered features that make tedious tasks more automated, which could save people time and effort.Â
Correction, Jan. 28: An earlier version of this story misspelled the surname of Skydeo's CEO. He is Mike Ford.