Meta To Test Premium Subscriptions Across Instagram, Facebook And WhatsApp
Meta Platforms is preparing to trial paid subscription options across Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, marking its latest push to expand revenue beyond advertising.
The technology company said the proposed subscriptions, expected to roll out for testing in the coming months, would offer users access to additional features, including enhanced artificial intelligence tools. Core functions of the platforms will remain free, according to the company.
As part of the experiment, Meta plans to introduce paid access to select AI-powered products, including its Vibes video generation app. The tool, unveiled in September as part of an updated Meta AI offering, allows users to create videos using artificial intelligence-driven visual tools.
The company is also expected to integrate technology from Manus, an AI firm founded in China that Meta agreed to acquire in December for a reported $2 billion. Tech publication TechCrunch first reported that Manus technology would feature in Meta’s subscription plans. Meta will continue to offer Manus subscriptions directly to business customers.
When announcing the acquisition, Meta said Manus would help strengthen its AI capabilities by enabling the development of so-called “agents” — systems designed to carry out complex tasks with minimal user input, such as organising travel plans or creating presentations.
Manus, now headquartered in Singapore after relocating from China, has positioned itself as a provider of autonomous AI agents that can independently plan and complete tasks based on instructions, without requiring repeated prompts from users.
The deal has drawn regulatory attention in China. In January, authorities in Beijing said they would review the acquisition to determine whether it violated technology export controls or national security rules.
Meta has increasingly explored paid features across its platforms in recent years. In 2023, the company introduced a subscription-based verification service that allows Facebook and Instagram users to obtain a blue check mark for a monthly fee.
Last year, Facebook also tested restrictions on how many links some users could include in posts unless they subscribed. Meta described the move as a limited experiment to assess whether expanded posting capabilities could provide added value for paying users.
The upcoming subscription trials signal Meta’s continued effort to diversify its business model as competition intensifies and investment in artificial intelligence accelerates across the tech industry.
