Obgist | Nigeria News, Celebrity Scoop, International Gist and Tech News

Meta subscriptions are coming as the company tests paid features across Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp with new AI tools.

Meta has announced plans to test new paid subscriptions that will unlock exclusive features across its major apps, including Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp.

The company confirmed the move on Monday, saying the subscriptions will focus on boosting productivity, creativity and access to advanced AI tools, while keeping the core experience on each platform free.

According to Meta, users will soon be able to choose premium experiences that offer more control over how they share content and connect with others.

The company said it is not tied to a single model. Instead, it plans to test different subscription features and bundles, with each app offering its own set of exclusive tools.

As part of the subscription rollout, Meta also plans to scale Manus, an AI agent it recently acquired for a reported $2 billion.

The company is taking a dual approach by integrating Manus into its apps while continuing to sell it as a standalone subscription for businesses.

Signs of this integration are already emerging. Reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi recently shared a screenshot suggesting Meta is working on a Manus AI shortcut within Instagram.

Meta is also preparing to test subscriptions tied to AI-powered features, including Vibes video generation.

Vibes is a short-form video tool inside the Meta AI app that allows users to create and remix AI-generated videos. While the feature has been free since its launch last year, Meta now plans to introduce a freemium model.

Under the new plan, users may get limited free access, with paid subscriptions unlocking more video creation opportunities each month.

While details about paid features on WhatsApp and Facebook remain unclear, early insights into Instagram subscriptions have surfaced.

Paluzzi noted that Instagram’s paid plan could allow users to:

• Create unlimited audience lists
• See which followers do not follow them back
• View Stories anonymously without alerting the poster

These features would offer users more control and visibility over their interactions.

Meta stressed that the new subscriptions will be different from Meta Verified.

Meta Verified is designed mainly for creators and businesses, offering benefits such as verification badges, direct support, impersonation protection and search optimization.

The upcoming subscriptions, however, are expected to target a broader audience, including everyday users who are not creators or businesses.

The expansion into paid subscriptions could open new revenue streams for Meta. However, the company faces a challenge as many users are already overwhelmed by multiple monthly subscriptions.

To succeed, Meta will need to offer features that feel valuable enough to justify the extra cost.

Snap has shown that social media subscriptions can work. Its Snapchat+ plan, which starts at $3.99 per month, has grown to more than 16 million subscribers, more than doubling since early 2024.

Meta says it will closely listen to user feedback as it begins rolling out the subscription tests in the coming months.

The company added that community response will play a key role in shaping how these paid features evolve across its platforms.