The phone buzzed, another notification: “Unlock exclusive features!” My thumb hovered over the “X” – another app, another subscription. Then I saw the familiar blue of Instagram. Is nowhere safe?
According to TechCrunch, Meta plans to blanket Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook with new features in a variety of configurations.
The catch? You’ll have to pay.
TechCrunch reports that Meta is experimenting with multiple premium feature packages, offering different bundles for each of its three core apps.
Following X’s paid verification launch, Meta introduced Meta Verified, charging $11.99 monthly (about €11) for a verification badge and extra security – mainly aimed at influencers and celebrities. This new premium feature wave intends to supposedly improve average users’ experience with enhancements like productivity tools and video generation. This is no gentle stream of new features, but a firehose.
Meta’s AI Ambitions and Your Wallet
I walked past a construction site the other day, the constant drilling mirroring the relentless pace of AI integration. Reportedly, one or more subscriptions will involve Manus, the AI agent company Meta recently acquired. Manus, which Meta acquired for $2 billion, was Singapore-based but originally Chinese. Meta assured everyone that all ties to China were severed upon the deal’s completion.
App researcher Alessandro Paluzzi claims to have found a Manus feature already hidden within Instagram’s code. This feature, if it exists, would encourage users to “research, create, and build with Manus.”
What are the benefits of Meta verified?
Currently, Meta Verified gives users a verification badge, account protection, and access to support. With these new paid features, you can expect a variety of potential benefits, including productivity enhancements, video generation tools, and AI-powered assistance.
The Features That Might Make You Cringe (and Pay)
Remember passing notes in class, trying to figure out who liked whom? Some things never change, apparently. Paluzzi also claims to have discovered a set of premium features that feels straight out of middle school. This includes the ability to see which followed users don’t follow you back, and the power to view stories anonymously.
How much will these new Meta features cost?
Pricing is still under wraps, but given Meta Verified’s $11.99 (€11) monthly fee, expect these new bundles to fall in a similar range, potentially with tiered options depending on the features included.
Are these features worth paying for?
That is the million-dollar question. Features like AI assistance might offer tangible benefits, while others seem designed to exploit social anxieties. Ultimately, the value proposition will depend on your individual needs and willingness to pay for added convenience or social insight.
Are these features enticing enough to open your wallet, or is Meta pushing the subscription model too far?