Paid Instagram Plus is coming with anonymous story views and other big features

Meta has reportedly begun testing a premium subscription for Instagram. This subscription will give users new perks, including the ability to view Stories of other users anonymously. Here are all the details.

In Short

• Meta starts testing Instagram Plus
• Instagram Plus to bring features such as anonymous story views
• Instagram Plus users can also see who rewatched their stories

Meta may soon change the way you use Instagram. The Mark Zuckerberg-led firm has reportedly started testing premium subscriptions for the social media platform, called Instagram Plus. The new subscription will be targeted for everyday users, who will get new perks, including anonymous Story views.

According to a report from TechCrunch, Meta has begun testing Instagram Plus in select countries – Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines. From anonymous Story views to the monthly view of this subscription, here is everything you need to know.

What will you get from Instagram Plus?

As per the report, Instagram Plus will offer exclusive features to paid users, particularly for Instagram Stories, which is one of the most widely used features on the platform.

Instagram Plus allows subscribers to view Stories anonymously. If you are an Instagram Plus subscriber, you will be able to view a story without the poster knowing that you viewed it. For context, Instagram lists down all viewers of a Story you upload on the app.

You will also be able to see how many people have rewatched your Story on the app, something that is not available for free users. Another new feature is to create unlimited audience lists for Stories. Currently, you can only create one specific Close Friends list for special Stories.

Instagram Plus users will also be able to extend the duration of a Story by an extra 24 hours and spotlight a Story once a week to increase its visibility by placing it at the front of the Stories tray.

The subscription also provides options to send animated “Superlikes” on Stories and to search the list of viewers to quickly find specific people who have seen a Story.

Is this same as verified plan?

Do note that Instagram Plus will not be part of Meta’s Verified subscription that gives creators and businesses features such as verified badges and impersonation protection.

Instead, Instagram Plus is a separate subscription aimed at everyday users of the platform.

How much will Instagram Plus cost?

Meta has not officially mentioned the pricing for Instagram Plus. However, reports indicate that the prices may vary depending on the region. In Mexico, the plan costs 39 Mexican peso (roughly Rs 200) per month. In Japan, the plan costs 319 Yen (roughly Rs 188) per month, while the same plan is priced at 65 Philippine peso (roughly Rs 100) per month.

It is likely that Instagram Plus will be tested in other regions soon.

The introduction of this subscription service aligns with Meta’s broader strategy to diversify revenue streams beyond advertising. The company is also reportedly working on a premium subscription for WhatsApp.

Other social media platforms, including Snapchat and X, have established paid subscription tiers, with Snapchat Plus recently reaching over 25 million subscribers.

- Ends