Instagram Plus Rolls Out: Greater Control Over Stories and Profiles

Meta has begun rolling out the Instagram Plus subscription plan. This plan offers 'Plus' users a range of exclusive features. It is currently being rolled out gradually across the globe.

Instagram is no longer just a platform for sharing photos and videos. To provide users with greater control, enhanced customization, and exclusive features, Meta has started launching a new subscription plan called Instagram Plus. This premium plan includes special features such as keeping Stories active for up to 48 hours, creating distinct audience groups, customizing profiles in new ways, and accessing advanced insights for Stories. Notably, the standard version of Instagram will remain free, while users can opt for Instagram Plus to access these additional features. According to Meta, Instagram Plus is being rolled out globally, with more features set to be added in the coming months.

Major Changes to Story Features

Instagram Plus introduces several new features related to Stories, including:

The 'Story Spotlight' feature will help increase the visibility of a user's Story among friends.
The 'Story Extend' feature allows users to extend the duration of a Story from 24 hours to 48 hours, meaning it remains visible for an extra day.
The 'Multiple Story Audiences' feature enables users to create different audience groups and decide exactly who sees specific Stories.
A new feature called 'Super Hearts' will make Story replies more engaging, allowing users to send animated heart reactions.

Enhanced Insights on Story Views

Instagram Plus also includes new tools to help users understand Story performance:

The 'Story Rewatch Insights' feature tracks how many times people have re-watched a specific Story.
The 'Search Viewer List' feature allows users to easily check whether a specific person has viewed their Story.
The 'Story Preview' feature lets users view a preview of a Story without triggering any reactions or engagement metrics.

New Options for Profile Customization

Instagram Plus subscribers will also gain access to several new profile customization options. Users will now be able to select various custom app icons to replace the default Instagram icon. Additionally, a "Custom Bio Font" feature will allow users to change the appearance of the text in their profile bio. The company has also increased the limit for pinned posts; while standard users can pin up to three posts, Instagram Plus users will be able to pin up to six. Another notable feature allows users to add posts directly to their profile or highlights without displaying them in their followers' feeds.

Pricing and Availability

According to Meta, Instagram Plus is being rolled out globally. In markets where the service is available, it is priced at $3.99 per month. The company has stated that more features will be added to the subscription in the future.