Hajra Naz
Meta has been quietly trying out a new premium subscription on Instagram, introducing a feature bundle called Instagram Plus in a handful of countries. The company confirmed on Monday that it was exploring paid options across its platforms, including
- WhatsApp.
What Instagram Plus Actually Offers
This new subscription focuses on giving everyday users more control and a few subtle perks rather than targeting creators or businesses. One of the standout features is the ability to view someone’s story without them knowing—something many users have wanted for a while. On the flip side, subscribers can also see how many times their own Stories have been rewatched, offering a bit more insight into engagement.
Another addition is more flexibility in how Stories are shared. Instead of being limited to “Close Friends,” users can now create multiple custom audience lists. That means you can decide exactly who sees what, whether it’s close friends, coworkers, or a smaller private group.
Read More: Instagram Tests a New Way to Define “Friends” on the Platform
More Control Over Stories and Visibility
The subscription also stretches how long Stories can live. Instead of disappearing after 24 hours, users can extend them for another day. There’s also a “spotlight” option that lets you push one Story per week to the front of your followers’ feed, giving it more visibility.
On top of that, Instagram Plus introduces small but noticeable upgrades, like animated “Superlikes” for Stories and a search tool that helps you quickly check if a specific person viewed your Story—no more endless scrolling through viewer lists.
Where It’s Being Tested and Pricing
Meta hasn’t officially listed all the regions where this test is running, but user reports suggest it’s currently live in countries like Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines. Pricing appears to be relatively low, though it varies by region. In Mexico, it’s around MX$39 per month (roughly $2.20), while users in Japan are seeing a price near ¥319, and in the Philippines, about PHP 65 monthly.
Not the Same as Meta Verified
It’s important not to confuse Instagram Plus with Meta Verified. The latter is aimed more at creators and businesses, offering perks like verification badges and account protection. Instagram Plus, by contrast, is clearly built for regular users who want a bit more privacy, control, and customization in how they use the app.
Mixed Reactions From Users
As expected, not everyone is thrilled about another subscription. With so many apps already charging for extra features, some users are pushing back, saying they’re tired of paying for things that used to be free.
Still, there’s evidence that paid social features can work. Platforms like Snapchat and X have already shown that users are willing to pay for added functionality. Snapchat+, for example, has crossed tens of millions of subscribers, proving there’s real demand — even if it’s not universal.
What Happens Next
For now, Meta is keeping this as a limited test. The company says it plans to study how users respond before deciding whether to expand Instagram Plus to more countries. Whether it becomes a core part of Instagram or just another experiment will likely depend on how many people see enough value to actually pay for it.
