Meta is preparing to test premium subscription offerings across Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp, signalling a renewed push towards monetising advanced features while keeping its core services free for users.
According to reports, the proposed subscriptions will unlock additional capabilities, including access to enhanced artificial intelligence tools. Basic functions on all three platforms will continue to remain available at no cost, with paid tiers positioned as optional upgrades rather than replacements.
As part of the initiative, Meta is expected to experiment with feature-specific subscriptions. One such offering could be linked to Vibes, its AI-powered video generation tool introduced in September as part of the Meta AI app. The company described Vibes as a creative tool designed to help users bring ideas to life through AI-driven visual creation.
The subscription strategy is also expected to integrate Manus, an AI firm founded in China that Meta reportedly agreed to acquire in December for around $2 billion. According to TechCrunch, Meta plans to incorporate Manus’ technology into its broader AI ecosystem while continuing to offer standalone Manus subscriptions to business customers.
At the time of the acquisition, Meta stated that Manus would strengthen its AI capabilities by enabling autonomous agents that can plan and execute complex tasks with minimal user input. Now headquartered in Singapore, Manus positions itself as a provider of “truly autonomous” AI agents, distinguishing its technology from traditional chatbots that rely on repeated prompts.
In January, Chinese authorities confirmed they were reviewing Meta’s acquisition of Manus to assess potential concerns around technology exports and national security.
Meta has previously tested paid features across its platforms. In recent years, it has introduced paid verification on Facebook and Instagram and experimented with usage limits on certain posting features, underscoring its ongoing efforts to diversify revenue beyond advertising.
