New Delhi: Meta is planning to introduce new Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp premium subscriptions, which will provide users with access to exclusive features, more creativity options, and increased AI capabilities. The firm told TechCrunch that it will start testing it in the next few months, and essential app experiences will always be free.
The technology company stated that every platform will have its own range of paid options, and several packages will be considered. The additional tools of advanced AI will be added to these subscriptions in the near future, which means that Meta is also about to monetise artificial intelligence along with social networking.
#Instagram is working on adding a shortcut to Manus AI in the settings page ЁЯСА pic.twitter.com/CI9yYJD896
тАФ Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) January 23, 2026
AI takes centre stage in MetaтАЩs subscription push
One of the elements of the Meta strategy is Manus, a robot acquired by the company recently at a reported value of $2 billion. Meta will be adding Manus into its apps and still provides separate subscriptions to businesses. Even the hints of early development indicate that Manus shortcuts can be found on Instagram.
Meta is planning to launch paid plans of AI products, including Vibes, its short-form AI video generator. Although Vibes has remained free since its release, the users are expected to be limited to a monthly plan soon unless they pay to unlock more features related to making videos.
Instagram may get stealth viewing and follower insights
The leaked information about the development shows that the subscription of Instagram may involve the unlimited number of lists of followers, insights about those who do not follow the user himself, and the possibility to see the Stories anonymously. Facebook and WhatsApp paid features are yet to be unveiled.
Meta highlighted that these new subscriptions are distinct from Meta Verified, which is aimed at creators and businesses that get verification badges, customer support, and impersonation protection. The plans to be implemented in the future are also targeted at the general users.
The shift provides Meta with another source of revenue, yet it is in an era of increasing subscription fatigue. Meta will have to be able to deliver on value to differentiate itself with users who are already paying to consume various digital services.
Snapchat has already demonstrated that there is demand, and its Snapchat+ plan achieved over 16 million subscribers. Meta notes that it will collect user response when it starts testing it and change it until it is rolled out later this year.