Meta Launches Paid Subscription Plans for Three Major Platforms to Reduce Ad Reliance

(Central News Agency, San Francisco, 27th) Meta, the parent company of Facebook, announced today the launch of paid subscription plans for its flagship applications, signaling the tech giant's attempt to move away from its long-standing reliance on advertising revenue and create diversified income streams.

Naomi Gleit, Meta's Head of Product, announced the move in a video posted on Instagram. She stated that the company will roll out paid plans for Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus, and WhatsApp Plus globally, with future plans for offerings targeting businesses, creators, and AI products.

The company estimates its capital expenditure for this year will be between $125 billion and $145 billion, primarily for investments in AI data centers. Meta is facing scrutiny from investors over such massive investments in AI.

According to AFP, Meta's stock price rose nearly 3% following the news, as the paid plans are expected to generate more revenue for the company.

According to reports, the monthly fee for both Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus is $3.99 (approximately NT$126), while WhatsApp Plus is $2.99.

Instagram Plus and Facebook Plus will unlock more advanced features, including more granular data analytics, viewing rights for stories, and custom personalized themes. WhatsApp Plus will provide advanced messaging management tools.