Meta wants to make Instagram and Facebook partially chargeable
Meta is reportedly working on new features to make its Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook services partially paid for. The US group even set up its own department for this purpose. The move apparently came in response to Apple’s new app tracking rules in iOS apps.
Meta has apparently created a new division to introduce paid features for WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook. Like Tech Magazine The Verge reports, according to an internal memo that the US company recently sent to its employees.
The department was formed in response to Apple’s new app tracking rules. Because the online advertising business of the US group would then have experienced a financial setback. New, paid functions on Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook are apparently intended to boost revenue again in the future.
Is Meta introducing paid features for Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook?
John Hegeman, Meta’s head of advertising, told The Verge again that the company is still striving to expand its advertising business. He also confirmed that there are plans to have users pay for certain services:
I think we’re seeing opportunities to create new types of products, features, and experiences that people would be willing to pay for and are willing to pay for.
However, Hegeman declined to elaborate on possible paid features. He also downplayed the importance of such a revenue stream. However, he also said that “on the other hand, I think if there are opportunities to both create new value and meaningful revenue streams, as well as provide some diversification, obviously that’s going to be something that’s attractive.”
More revenue from paid features?
Meta derives much of its revenue from advertising. Although the US group already has some paid functions on its Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook services, revenue in this area has so far been rather low.
In the long run, however, paid features could account for a significant portion of revenue. John Hegeman commented:
On a five year time horizon, I think it can really move the needle and make a pretty significant difference.
However, Meta is not the only social media company pursuing such plans. The competition for TikTok and Twitter is also introducing more and more paid features – for example the ad-free version Twitter Blue. Telegram and Snapchat also recently introduced paid subscriptions.
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