Meta is currently testing a new subscription service on Instagram called "Instagram Plus," which gives users exclusive features, most notably the ability to post stories for more than 24 hours.
Screenshots of the service have recently surfaced in the Philippines and Mexico.
According to screenshots shared by social media expert Matt Navarra, the "Instagram Plus" subscription includes several features, most notably creating multiple audiences for each story, knowing who has rewatched your story, searching among the people who viewed it, previewing stories without your name appearing as a viewer, extending the story for an additional 24 hours, creating featured stories (Spotlight), in addition to what is called "super hearts" to interact with stories.
A Meta spokesperson confirmed that the service is being tested in some countries, without specifying which ones, noting that the goal is to understand what users want from paid features.
The initial prices appear to be very low, at around $1.07 per month in the Philippines and $2.15 per month in Mexico, with a free trial month.
It is worth mentioning that the idea is similar to Snapchat's service called "Snapchat+", which was launched in 2022 and achieved great success as a source of non-advertising revenue.
Meta is now seeking to boost its subscription revenue as well, and has previously announced testing of new subscriptions that include artificial intelligence features, and has intensified promotion of its "Meta Verified" subscriptions with offers starting at $1 for the first trial.
