In a new test, Meta is exploring an Instagram subscription that includes several perks, such as viewing stories without the poster’s knowledge, as reported by TechCrunch. The subscription will also enable users to see how many times their stories are replayed and search for specific viewers.
Additional features include creating “unlimited” audience lists for stories, allowing subscribers to share specific stories with different groups of followers. Presently, Instagram users can only share stories with all followers or restrict them to “close friends.” Subscribers can extend the story view time beyond the 24-hour limit and prioritize their story in the queue of followers’ stories.
According to social media posts, this new subscription feature seems to be rolling out in Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines, though Meta hasn’t confirmed it. Pricing varies by region, reportedly costing around $1.07 per month in the Philippines and $2.20 in Mexico. Meta has not yet commented on the rollout.
TechCrunch previously reported in January that Meta intended to confine certain AI features behind a paywall for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Subscription models are also being adopted by other platforms, such as Snapchat, which boasts over 25 million subscribers, and Elon Musk’s X, which offers a Premium subscription with multiple tiers.