Instagram tests letting you pay to view stories anonymously

Meta is testing an Instagram subscription that offers a bunch of new perks, such as the ability to view stories without the poster knowing, according to a report from TechCrunch. The paid plan will also allow subscribers to see how many times people replay their own stories and search for specific viewers.

Other features include a way to create “unlimited” audience lists for stories, allowing subscribers to show certain stories to different categories of followers. Instagram currently only lets users share stories with all of their followers, or limit viewing to people categorized as “close friends.” Subscribers can also extend the time users can view their stories beyond the current 24-hour limit, as well as push their story to the front of the queue of stories followers see.

Though Meta hasn’t confirmed where it’s testing its new subscription, TechCrunch has seen posts about the feature from users across social media, which suggest it’s rolling out in Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines. The pricing reportedly varies by location, ranging from around $1.07 / month in the Philippines to $2.20 / month in Mexico. Meta didn’t immediately respond to The Verge’s request for comment.

In January, TechCrunch reported that Meta planned on locking certain AI features behind a paywall on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Meta isn’t the only company bringing subscriptions to its social platform, as Snapchat has launched an array of subscriptions that now have more than 25 million subscribers, while Elon Musk’s X has a Premium subscription with several tiers (though the cheapest plan no longer includes access to X Pro, formerly TweetDeck).