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META Platforms has announced the global rollout of paid subscription plans for its flagship social media and messaging platforms, marking one of the company’s most significant strategic shifts away from its long-standing advertising-driven business model.
AFP cited the new premium offerings — branded as Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus and WhatsApp Plus — were unveiled by Meta’s head of product Naomi Gleit in a video posted on Instagram.
Gleit said the company intends to gradually expand the subscription ecosystem to include additional products aimed at businesses, content creators and artificial intelligence services.
The launch comes at a time when Meta is facing heightened scrutiny from investors over the scale of its artificial intelligence investments and rapidly rising infrastructure costs.
The company recently projected annual capital expenditure of between US$125 billion and US$145 billion, with much of the spending directed towards the construction of AI-focused data centres and computing infrastructure.
Investors appeared to respond positively to the announcement, with Meta shares rising nearly three per cent following the news.
According to reports, Facebook Plus and Instagram Plus will each cost US$3.99 per month, while WhatsApp Plus will be priced at US$2.99 monthly.
The premium tiers for Facebook and Instagram will offer users expanded analytics tools, enhanced audience reach, story rewatch statistics and additional profile customisation features designed particularly for creators and active users.
Meanwhile, WhatsApp Plus will focus more heavily on personalisation, offering exclusive stickers, customised ringtones and visual themes for the messaging application.
Gleit said Meta ultimately plans to consolidate its premium offerings under a broader unified subscription ecosystem known as “Meta One”.
The move reflects a broader transformation within the social media industry as major technology companies increasingly seek recurring subscription income to complement volatile advertising revenues.
Meta previously experimented with paid services in Europe in 2023, when it introduced ad-free versions of Facebook and Instagram to comply with European Union privacy regulations.
That model allowed European users to choose between a free advertising-supported experience and a paid subscription version with reduced data tracking and no advertisements.
The latest rollout represents the company’s first major attempt to scale subscription-based consumer services globally across its core platforms. - May 28, 2026
