Meta is quietly shaking up Instagram as we know it. If you’ve ever wished you could peek at someone’s Story without them finding out — that feature is now real, and it’s part of Instagram Plus, Meta’s brand new premium subscription currently being tested in select countries.
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What Is Instagram Plus?
Meta has begun testing a premium subscription on Instagram called Instagram Plus, giving subscribers access to exclusive features. Notably, it is separate from Meta Verified, which targets creators and businesses — Instagram Plus is built for everyday users. TechCrunch
The subscription is currently live in countries like Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines, with pricing kept relatively affordable — around MX$39/month (~$2.20), ¥319 in Japan, and PHP 65 in the Philippines. Being Guru Meta is also offering a free one-month trial.
Instagram Plus: Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 👻 Anonymous Story View | View Stories without appearing in the viewer list |
| 🔁 Rewatch Insights | See how many times your Story was rewatched |
| 👥 Multiple Audience Lists | Create unlimited custom Story audiences beyond Close Friends |
| ⏳ Extended Stories | Extend Story duration by an extra 24 hours |
| 🌟 Spotlight Stories | Highlight a Story once a week for more visibility |
| 💜 Super Hearts | Exclusive animated reactions for Stories |
| 🔍 Story Viewer Search | Search if a specific person viewed your Story |
Why Is Meta Doing This?
This move reflects a broader trend of social media platforms pivoting toward subscription models as they seek new revenue streams amid shifting user behaviours — a trend also seen with X Premium and Snapchat+.
The concept is closely modelled after Snapchat+, which offers bonus features to power users. Meta’s spokesperson stated: “Our hope from these tests is to understand what’s most valuable to people in a premium feature set.”
Want to know more about how Meta’s AI and social media strategies are evolving in 2025? We’ve got you covered. Also check out our latest coverage on social media tech trends on TechnoSports.
For background on how subscription-based social media models work, check out the Wikipedia page on Social Networking Services.
FAQs
Q: Is Instagram Plus the same as Meta Verified?
No — Meta Verified targets creators with badges and protection tools, while Instagram Plus is designed for regular users wanting more privacy and Story control.
Q: When will Instagram Plus be available globally?
Meta says it will continue testing Instagram Plus before rolling it out further TechCrunch, so a global launch timeline hasn’t been confirmed yet.
