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Meta has announced a fundamental change in its strategy towards monetization of its platforms, launching a 'Plus' subscription service for WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. The new paid tier is designed to give users an ad-free experience, exclusive features, more messages, and verified badges throughout the platforms.

In feeds and stories on Instagram and Facebook, subscribers will not see ads, while on WhatsApp, they'll get more privacy features and access to new features first. The firm thinks this is for social media users who wish to get an improved and cleaner social media experience.

The 'Plus' subscription is likely to be priced at about ₹99 to ₹349 per month, depending on the benefits and region. The move is viewed as a strategic shift by Meta to diversify its revenue sources in the face of growing competition and regulatory scrutiny.

Initial feedback has been mixed as some customers appreciate the ad-free experience while others have concerns about the potential of breaking up platforms. The rollout is already underway in select countries and expected to start in India soon.