Instagram launches Instagram Plus: features, price, and everything you need to know

Instagram Plus allows you to extend the duration of stories, view statistics, and create custom audiences without removing ads.

Meta is making another move in its monetization strategy and is testing a new Instagram subscription. Called «Instagram Plus,» the company is experimenting with a paid version focused on offering advanced features for Stories, though it doesn’t address some of the main long-standing user complaints.

According to TechCrunch, this subscription is already in the testing phase in countries like Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines. Its price in the Mexican market is 39 pesos per month (around €1.90), suggesting a focus on an affordable model to encourage adoption.

New Features of Instagram Plus

Among the main new features, Instagram Plus will allow users to make Stories visible without the author’s knowledge, extend their duration beyond the usual 24 hours, and access more detailed statistics. In addition, subscribers will be able to create custom audiences, beyond the «Close Friends» feature, highlight Stories to increase their visibility, and send animated «Super Likes.»

These features clearly target a very specific user profile. They are specifically designed for content creators and influencers looking to optimize their reach and engagement on the platform. While some of these tools are already available in free accounts, their Instagram Plus version offers a greater degree of customization and control.

However, the offering is not without its critics, and one of the most controversial aspects is that the subscription does not remove ads, a key demand from users. It also doesn’t introduce changes to the algorithm, allows for chronological feed ordering, or reduce the prominence of Reels.

Instagram Plus enters the market with a testing phase

This approach contrasts with other paid initiatives launched by Meta, such as the ad-free subscription launched in Europe to comply with EU regulations, which does offer an ad-free experience in exchange for a higher monthly fee.

For now, Meta has confirmed that Instagram Plus will remain in testing for a longer period before considering its potential expansion to other markets. The company is thus seeking to assess the reception of a proposal that, although it expands the functionalities of the platform, leaves open the question of whether it will provide enough value to convince the average user to pay up.

Source: www.marketingdirecto.com