FILE

If you’ve ever wished you could quietly view someone’s Story or get more control over who sees your posts, that might soon come with a price.

According to a news report from TechCrunch, Meta has started testing a new premium subscription on Instagram called Instagram Plus—and yes, it’s already popping up in a few countries, including the Philippines.

The idea? Give everyday users access to extra features that go beyond the usual free experience.

Among the perks being tested is a feature many users might find tempting—you can view someone’s Story without them knowing. On top of that, you’ll also get insights like how many times people rewatched your own Stories, something not available to regular users.

Customization is also getting a boost. Instead of just using the usual “Close Friends” list, subscribers can create multiple audience groups for Stories. That means more control over exactly who sees what you post, whether it’s for friends, family, or a specific circle.

There are also visibility upgrades. Users can extend their Stories for another 24 hours and even “spotlight” one Story per week to push it to the front of their followers’ feeds. Add to that animated “Superlikes” and a search tool that lets you quickly check if a specific person viewed your Story.

As for the price, it’s relatively low—for now. In the Philippines, early reports show it costs around ₱65 per month, making it one of the cheaper subscription options out there.

Still, not everyone is sold on the idea. With so many apps already charging monthly fees, some users are pushing back, saying they’re tired of subscriptions piling up.

Meta hasn’t said exactly when—or if—Instagram Plus will roll out globally. For now, it’s all part of testing. But one thing’s clear: social media platforms are increasingly looking at subscriptions as the next big way to make money, following the lead of apps like Snapchat and X.

Whether users are willing to pay for these extras, though, is a whole different story.