Meta begins testing paid subscriptions offering AI features on Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp while keeping core services free.
Meta is preparing to trial premium subscription plans for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, marking its latest push into paid digital services.
The technology giant says the new subscriptions will unlock additional features, including expanded artificial intelligence tools, while core platform services will remain free for all users. The trials are expected to begin in the coming months.
Among the paid features under consideration are advanced AI capabilities and access to products such as Meta’s Vibes video generation app. Vibes, announced in September as part of the Meta AI app, allows users to create visual content using artificial intelligence.
Meta is also expected to integrate technology from Manus, a Chinese-founded AI company it agreed to acquire in December for a reported $2bn (£1.46bn), according to TechCrunch, which first reported the plans. The company will continue to offer Manus subscriptions separately to business customers.
Manus develops AI “agents” designed to perform complex tasks independently, such as planning trips or creating presentations, with minimal user input. Meta previously said the acquisition would help strengthen its AI ecosystem across consumer and enterprise products.
Now based in Singapore after relocating from China, Manus claims its technology can operate autonomously, setting it apart from traditional chatbots that require repeated prompts to complete tasks.
In January, Chinese authorities said they would review Meta’s acquisition of Manus to assess potential breaches of technology export rules or national security regulations.
The move toward subscriptions follows several recent monetization experiments by Meta. Last year, Facebook tested limits on how many links some users could share without paying, describing the initiative as a way to evaluate whether higher posting volumes offered additional value to subscribers.
In 2023, Meta also launched paid verification services for Facebook and Instagram, allowing users to receive a blue tick in exchange for a monthly fee.
