Meta no longer wants users to simply use its apps — it also wants them to pay for extra features. The company has begun rolling out WhatsApp Plus, Facebook Plus, and Instagram Plus, new subscription plans that promise advanced customization tools, statistics, and greater control over content. Mexico is already among the countries where some users have started seeing these options.
“We are beginning to roll out Facebook Plus, Instagram Plus, and WhatsApp Plus with enhanced features that our community already loves,” said Naomi Gleit, Meta’s Head of Product, adding that these subscriptions aim to offer users “richer ways to express themselves and connect.”
The rollout of Meta’s premium features comes at a time when growth in social media users is slowing and the race for Artificial Intelligence requires multi-billion-dollar investments. With this strategy, the company appears to be searching for new ways to monetize its massive ecosystem beyond advertising, similar to moves previously made by platforms like X and Snapchat.
INSTAGRAM PLUS HAS ALREADY ARRIVED IN MEXICO
Among the most talked-about plans is Instagram Plus, a monthly subscription that has already started appearing for some users in countries including Japan, the Philippines, and Mexico. According to reports, the subscription costs 39 Mexican pesos per month and includes a one-month free trial for some accounts.
The subscription mainly adds features aimed at users who want to view stories more discreetly or monitor profile activity more closely. New features include:
- Viewing stories anonymously without appearing as a viewer
- Seeing which people rewatched a story multiple times
- Searching for specific users within the story viewers list
- Extending story duration beyond the traditional 24 hours
- Creating larger audience lists beyond “Close Friends”
- Sending animated “super hearts” to stories
- Prioritizing stories to increase visibility among followers
WHATSAPP PLUS AND FACEBOOK PLUS WILL ALSO OFFER EXCLUSIVE FEATURES
Instagram Plus will not arrive alone. Facebook users in Mexico have also reported the rollout of Facebook Plus for 39 pesos per month, while WhatsApp Plus still does not have an official Mexican price. However, reports indicate that in the United States the subscription may cost $2.99 per month, suggesting it could become a lower-cost option in Mexico compared to Facebook Plus and Instagram Plus.
In the case of WhatsApp Plus, improvements are more focused on customization and messaging. According to reports from WABetaInfo, some test users already have access to features such as:
- Exclusive stickers, including animated ones
- 18 color themes to customize the interface
- Up to 14 custom app icons
- Ability to pin up to 20 chats at the top
- Exclusive call and notification sounds
- Advanced bulk chat management tools
Facebook Plus includes several features similar to Instagram Plus, especially those related to stories and profile customization. Based on screenshots shared by users with access, the features include:
- Choosing a custom app icon
- Extending story expiration times
- Viewing statistics for stories watched multiple times
- Searching specific people within story viewers lists
- Previewing stories anonymously
- Sending “super reactions” to stories
HOW TO ACTIVATE INSTAGRAM, WHATSAPP, OR FACEBOOK PLUS IN MEXICO
For now, the rollout of Instagram Plus, Facebook Plus, and WhatsApp Plus appears to be gradual, meaning not all users in Mexico will see the option at the same time.
According to reports from the initial tests, the subscription option appears directly within the app once enabled for a user’s account.
To check whether you already have access, users can:
- Open Instagram, Facebook, or WhatsApp
- Go to Settings
- Look for sections labeled:
- Subscriptions
- Meta Plus
- Premium Features
- Exclusive Benefits
- Check whether the “Plus” option appears
In some cases, Meta is also reportedly displaying banners inside the apps promoting free trial periods, especially on Instagram.
META WANTS TO DEPEND LESS ON ADVERTISING
Behind this move lies a broader strategy. Meta is not only launching consumer subscriptions — it also plans to test premium plans for creators and businesses using its Meta AI app under the name “Meta One,” a membership expected to offer greater processing power for AI tasks such as image and video generation.
For now, the Plus plans will coexist with services such as Meta Verified, but the larger goal appears to be diversifying revenue streams as the company invests billions of dollars into AI infrastructure.
The launch also raises questions about how interaction rules may change inside platforms that for years promoted a free experience. Paying for increased visibility or for deeper insight into who interacts with content could create a more unequal social media environment over time.
Source: xataka
