Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is reportedly looking to launch an ad-free subscription plan in India. The company is currently testing the plan in Europe, and if it is successful, it is likely to be rolled out to India in mid- or late-2024.
The ad-free subscription plan would allow users to access Facebook and Instagram without seeing any ads. This would be a welcome change for many users, as ads can be annoying as per user experience. It would also be a privacy-conscious option, as users would not have to worry about their data being used to target them with ads.
It is not yet clear how much the ad-free subscription plan would cost in India.
However, in Europe, Meta is reportedly planning to charge €10 per month for desktop use of a Facebook or Instagram account, and €6 for additional linked accounts. This would translate to around ₹1,164 per month in India.
If Meta launches an ad-free subscription plan in India, it would be the first major social media company to do so. However, other companies will likely follow suit if Meta’s plan is successful.
Analysis
Launching an ad-free subscription plan in India would be a major move for Meta. India is one of the company’s largest markets, with over 400 million Facebook users and over 200 million Instagram users.
If Meta can successfully launch an ad-free subscription plan in India, it could generate a significant amount of revenue for the company.
Launching an ad-free subscription plan would also be a win for users. Users would be able to access Facebook and Instagram without seeing any ads, which would make for a more pleasant and user-friendly experience.
However, it is important to note that an ad-free subscription plan would not be affordable for everyone. In India, the average monthly income is around ₹20,000. This means that spending ₹1,164 per month on an ad-free subscription plan might be a financial burden for many users.
Now, people are excited to see what Meta brings and how this will impact the future of Social Media in India as most of the other brands might take the Meta route.
Additional thoughts:
It is worth noting that Meta is facing increasing competition from other social media platforms, such as X(Twitter), Telegram, and Snapchat. These platforms are already popular among younger users in India. If Meta does focus on increasing its user base and user engagement soon, it may lose even more users to these platforms.
Meta could also consider offering a freemium subscription model. This would allow users to access basic features of Facebook and Instagram for free, but charge them for additional features, such as an ad-free experience or access to exclusive content. This would make the ad-free subscription plan more affordable for everyone.
