Paid features are coming to Instagram! You will now be able to view stories secretly
Instagram's new paid model, which includes options to increase user privacy and strengthen engagement, has been launched as a pilot in Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines.
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Social media giant Meta has developed a different subscription service for the Instagram platform. This new premium membership, offered under the name "Instagram Plus," provides additional features for a fee alongside the platform's traditional free usage. The service, which is currently only available to some users in Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines, seems set to significantly change the platform's familiar interaction patterns.
NEW PRIVACY-FOCUSED FEATURE
One of the most notable features is the ability to browse content while viewing stories without your name appearing on the viewers list. This stands out as an attractive innovation for those who value their privacy.
EXTRA CONTROL AND VISIBILITY FOR STORIES
Instagram Plus members will also have the right to extend the duration of their stories by an additional 24 hours. Creating private viewer lists for specific people or boosting a story to the top of the algorithm once a week are also among the innovations included in the package. Additionally, new interaction tools similar to "Superlike," which enrich the like system, are also being offered.
PRICING VARIES BY COUNTRY
Subscription fees vary according to the economic conditions of each country. Initial information indicates that the monthly fee for this service is 39 pesos in Mexico, 319 yen in Japan, and 65 pesos in the Philippines. This corresponds to a price range of approximately 1 to 2 dollars per month.
META'S NEW REVENUE STRATEGY
Meta indicates that it has taken this step to reduce its dependence on advertising revenue in the brand's growth plans. In an announcement made at the beginning of the year, the company stated, "We will test new premium subscription models for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp; specifically, productivity, creativity, and AI-powered features will be at the center of these packages."
GLOBAL ROLLOUT DEPENDS ON TEST RESULTS
Whether the pilot program will be made available in more countries around the world in the future will be shaped by the results obtained from the current testing process.