Meta Starts Trial of Paid Services, Instagram to WhatsApp Will Have Premium Versions

Meta is making a big splash again in the world of technology. The parent company of Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp is reportedly going to soon test a premium subscription service for its three popular platforms.

This step is Meta’s latest experiment in developing new sources of income, as well as expanding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for its users.

Even though it provides paid services, Meta emphasizes that the core features of Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp can still be used for free.

Users only need to pay if they want to enjoy additional exclusive features, especially those related to advanced AI capabilities.

Premium Subscription with More Advanced AI Features

Quoted from BBC (27/01/26), in its trial plan, Meta will offer a subscription package that opens access to various exclusive AI features. One of the most highlighted is Vibes, an AI-based video creation application that is claimed to be able to bring users’ creative ideas to life through automatically generated visuals.

Vibes was first introduced by Meta last September as part of an update to the Meta AI application. The app is designed to help users create visual content more quickly and intuitively, without having to have advanced technical skills.

Not only that, Meta is also said to be integrating technology from Manus, an AI company based in Singapore and with roots in China. Meta reportedly acquired Manus last December for around US$2 billion. Manus technology will later become part of the premium features, although the business version of the Manus service will still be offered separately.

Meta AI Manus and Ambition

Manus is known as an AI developer with the concept of “autonomous agent”, namely an artificial intelligence system that is capable of planning, executing and completing tasks independently.

In contrast to chatbots in general which require many advanced commands, Manus claims its technology can work independently based on initial instructions.

Meta assesses that the presence of Manus will strengthen Meta AI’s capabilities, both for consumer and business needs. This technology can later be used for various complex activities, such as preparing presentations, planning trips, and managing digital work with minimal user interaction.

However, the acquisition of Manus also attracted the attention of the Chinese government. In January, Beijing said it would investigate the deal to ensure it did not violate technology export rules or national security regulations.

Subscription Trends on Social Media Platforms

Premium subscription trials are nothing new for Meta. Previously, Facebook had tested limiting the number of links that users could share in one upload. In the trial, certain users in the UK and US could only share more links if they subscribed.

Additionally, Meta has also launched ad-free subscriptions for Facebook and Instagram. In the UK, users are charged around £2.99 or around IDR 68 thousand per month, while in the European Union the rate reaches €5.99 or around IDR 119 thousand per month.

Users are given the choice between paying for a subscription or keeping the app free with personalized ads.

Since 2023, Meta has also introduced a paid verification service that provides a blue tick on Facebook and Instagram for a monthly fee.

Meta’s move to combine premium subscriptions with AI features marks a major strategy shift for the company. In the midst of intense competition in the technology industry and increasing costs of AI development, the subscription model is considered a solution to maintain business continuity.

For users, the presence of a premium option provides freedom of choice: continue to enjoy the free service, or pay to get more advanced AI features and an ad-free experience. Going forward, this trial will determine whether the AI ​​subscription model can be widely accepted by Meta’s billions of users around the world.