Users in international markets, including India, will soon be able to access premium features of Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp thanks to Meta‘s planned introduction of new paid subscription plans.

This is a significant change in how people use its social media platforms.

In order to provide paying members access to sophisticated tools, customisation choices, and improved visibility features that will not be available to regular users, the firm has released “Plus” versions of its applications.

By pushing consumers to spend a monthly charge for premium social media experiences, the action signifies Meta’s increasing emphasis on expanding its revenue sources outside of advertising.

While WhatsApp Plus will cost $2. 99 per month, or about Rs 290, Facebook Plus and Instagram Plus have been priced at $3. 99 per month, which is approximately Rs 387. Nevertheless, the firm has not yet revealed the official pricing for India.

According to a TechCrunch article, Instagram Plus users will have access to a number of premium features, such as the option to create limitless Story audience lists outside of the current Close Friends feature and the ability to see how many people have watched their Stories again.

Additionally, the premium package will let users discreetly see Stories without showing up in the viewer list, extend Stories past the typical 24-hour limit, and highlight one Story per week for more exposure.

In addition to being able to post directly to profiles and Highlights without having those postings visible in their followers’ feeds, subscribers will be able to search through Story viewer lists.

Additionally, Meta is providing cosmetic enhancements for paid users. Subscribers to Instagram Plus will have access to animated “Super Heart” responses, unique fonts for their bios, custom app icons, and additional profile pinning choices.

WhatsApp Plus is more focused on customizing messaging, but Facebook Plus is likely to provide comparable premium tools.

Users of the messaging service will have access to unique chat themes, premium ringtones, premium stickers, extra pinned chats, and sophisticated list customization options.

Naomi Gleit, Meta’s product lead, suggested in an Instagram statement that the firm plans to add “more enjoyable features” for subscribers in the future.

These subscriptions are different from Meta Verified, the company’s current paid verification service that provides identity verification, impersonation protection, and customer service, Meta said.

The company is simultaneously expanding into artificial intelligence services with a new “Meta One” subscription ecosystem that integrates creator-focused tools, AI, and business-focused tools.