Instagram is testing a subscription service offering features such as looking at other people’s Stories without them knowing, parent company Meta Platforms confirmed.
Other features include the ability to create multiple “audiences” for Stories posts, see information about who has rewatched a Story, search the list of people who viewed a Story, preview Stories posts, and create “spotlight” Stories, according to screenshots shared by social media consultant Matt Navarra.
Users can also extend Stories for an additional 24 hours beyond the current 24 hours after which they currently expire.
International tests
The feature is currently being tested in several markets, with users spotting promotions for it in Mexico and the Philippines in recent days.
TechCrunch, which first reported the feature, said it is also being tested in Japan.
Users are being charged around one or two dollars per month, with Meta also offering free one-month trials.
A Meta spokesperson said the feature is being tested in “a few countries”, without elaborating.
The spokesperson said a “preview” feature would allow users to see some of another person’s Story without being listed as a viewer.
Alternative revenue model
The Instagram Plus feature appears to be modelled closely on Snapchat+, which has gained millions of subscribers and has driven significant non-advertising revenue since its launch in 2022.
Meta has been testing non-advertising revenue models such as subscriptions in recent months, with platforms such as Facebook.
