Shivani Jaiswal,New Delhi-
Meta has officially introduced a new subscription-based service called  Instagram Plus in India, marking a major shift in how the platform offers features to users. Priced at ₹299 per month  the plan is designed as an optional upgrade for people who want more control, personalization, and insights from their Instagram experience.

The company clarified that the standard Instagram app will remain completely free, and the new plan does not remove or restrict any existing features. Instead, Instagram Plus adds a layer of advanced tools aimed mainly at creators, influencers, and power users who want deeper engagement with their audience.

One of the biggest highlights of the subscription is the expansion of  Stories features Users can extend the visibility of their Stories beyond the usual 24 hours, create multiple custom audience groups, and even access advanced viewing insights such as rewatch counts. The plan also introduces enhanced privacy tools like secret story previews, allowing users to view Stories without appearing in the viewer list.

Beyond Stories, Instagram Plus brings customization upgrades such as special profile themes, animated reactions, custom app icons, and new font styles for bios. Users can also pin multiple posts to highlight important content on their profile.

Meta says the goal of this subscription is to give users more flexibility and creative freedom while maintaining the core free experience for everyone. The rollout is currently active in India and may expand further depending on user response.

Instagram joins other Meta platforms exploring paid tiers, signaling a broader shift toward subscription-based social media services.