Meta to Launch New Paid AI Subscription Tiers Across Its Social Platforms
Meta is preparing to introduce new paid subscription plans across Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, expanding beyond its existing blue tick verification service and asking users to pay for advanced AI-powered tools and features.
The company plans to begin testing the new subscription tiers in the coming months, according to people familiar with the rollout. While basic access to all three platforms will remain free, users who want enhanced capabilities will need to subscribe. Meta has not yet disclosed pricing details.
Paid Features Go Beyond Verification Badges
Meta launched its paid verification service in 2023, allowing users to obtain a verified badge in exchange for a monthly fee. However, the new subscription tiers are designed to offer functional tools, not just identity verification.
Under the upcoming plans, subscribers will gain access to:
- AI-powered assistants
- Advanced content creation tools
- Automation and productivity features
- Enhanced posting and link-sharing capabilities
Free users will retain existing features but will not have access to these additional tools.
Manus AI Acquisition Powers New Tools
A key driver of Meta’s new subscription strategy is its $2 billion acquisition of Manus, a Singapore-based AI company, completed in December last year.
Unlike traditional chatbots that rely heavily on detailed prompts, Manus’s technology is designed to understand user intent and complete tasks autonomously. For example, users could ask the AI to plan a multi-day trip, create presentations, or manage schedules with minimal follow-up input.
Meta plans to continue selling Manus subscriptions directly to businesses while integrating the technology into its consumer-facing subscription offerings.
AI Tools Built for Productivity and Creativity
The company says the new subscriptions will focus on action-oriented AI tools rather than cosmetic features. These include:
- AI assistants capable of planning trips and creating presentations
- Video-generation tools such as Vibes
- Smarter automation for content planning and posting
While free users will not lose existing functionality, paying users will gain access to tools that significantly boost productivity and creative output.
Meta Expands Its Monetisation Strategy
The move signals Meta’s broader push to diversify its revenue streams beyond advertising. Paid verification was an initial step, but the company now believes users are more likely to pay for useful, time-saving features rather than status symbols.
Meta has already tested elements of this model, including experiments that limit the number of links free users can share in posts, while allowing subscribers to share more.
What It Means for Users and Creators
For everyday users, the change offers a choice: continue using the platforms for free or pay for advanced AI features. For content creators and businesses, the subscriptions could provide tools that make content planning, publishing, and audience engagement faster and more efficient.
As competition intensifies across social platforms, Meta is betting that AI-driven productivity tools, not just verification badges, will convince users to pay.
