Meta Launches Ad-Free Subscriptions for Instagram and Facebook

The popular social networks Instagram and Facebook, under their parent company Meta, have launched ad-free subscription services. The subscriptions cost around €10 per month.

Bypassing EU Rules

Another goal of Meta in introducing these subscriptions is to bypass EU rules. The subscriptions are available from today, and users will be notified when they first open Facebook.

Subscription Costs

Until March 1, 2024, the subscriptions cost €9.99 per month if availed on the web or €12.99 per month if availed via the apps. From March onwards, users will have to pay an additional fee of €6 per month for extra accounts. Payment for the subscription is on a monthly basis and only credit card is accepted.

Subscription Cancellation

Users can cancel their Meta membership every month if they wish to use Facebook or Instagram for free again. They must do so at least 24 hours before their next payment term.

Ad-Free Variants

Meta announced the ad-free variants of Facebook and Instagram, which can be used with a single account after paying a monthly subscription. The subscription service, which starts in November, is available only in EU, EEA, and Switzerland countries.

Subscription Prices

The prices for the Instagram and Facebook subscriptions are as follows:

• Taken out via the web: €9.99 per month
• Taken out via apps (Facebook or Instagram): €12.99 per month

A single subscription applies to both social networks where the account is used. However, Meta will start charging a fee for linked accounts from March 1, 2024.

Ad-Free Instagram and Facebook in Europe

Earlier this month, plans for ad-free subscriptions for Facebook and Instagram leaked, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. With this new subscription, Meta hopes to comply with new European regulations regarding the use of personal data for personalized ads.

No Ads for Users Under 18

In other news, Meta has paused all ads for users under 18 on both Instagram and Facebook. They do not need to pay for a subscription. From November 6, underage Facebook and Instagram users will no longer see ads on social networks.

TikTok Considering Ad-Free Swiping

TikTok is also reportedly testing an ad-free subscription in the United States, noted by Android Authority. The subscription costs $5 (about €4.75) in the test phase. It is unknown when and if the ad-free subscription will be officially available in the Netherlands.

X, Formerly Known as Twitter

X, formerly known as Twitter, also has a paid subscription called Premium. According to the social media platform, subscribers see ‘about 50% fewer ads’ on their timeline.