Abu Zar Mishwani
Meta Platforms is rolling out ad-free subscription plans for Facebook and Instagram users in Europe, allowing them to enjoy an ad-free experience on both platforms starting from the coming month.
This step helps the social media giant adhere to European Union rules. While Facebook and Instagram will remain accessible for free with ads for all users, the ad-free subscription is only available to individuals aged 18 and older.
Meta revealed their introduction of a paid ad-free subscription for Facebook and Instagram through a blog post on Monday. Beginning next month, individuals in the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland can opt for a monthly payment to enjoy Meta’s platforms without advertisements.
This service is priced at EUR 9.99 per month for web users, while iOS and Android users will pay EUR 12.99 per month. These costs include fees imposed by Apple and Google, in accordance with their respective policies.
The ad-free subscription will only be available to users aged 18 and older in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. This plan will cover all connected Facebook and Instagram accounts until March 1, 2024. After this date, users will need to pay an extra fee of EUR 6 per month on the web and EUR 8 per month on iOS and Android for each additional account listed in their Account Center.
Meta is introducing this paid subscription in alignment with changing European regulations, such as the Digital Markets Act and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). Meta says, “We respect the spirit and purpose of these evolving European regulations, and are committed to complying with them.”
The company reassured users that it will maintain free access to its products for those who prefer not to pay. Additionally, Meta stated that advertisers can still run personalized advertising campaigns in Europe to connect with individuals who opt for a free, ad-supported online service.
Meta’s latest plan offers a more cost-effective Instagram or Facebook subscription compared to X’s Premium+ subscription, previously recognized as Twitter Blue, which is priced at $16 per month. This subscription remove ads from X and provides a blue checkmark. X’s basic tier is available at $3 per month but does not provide an ad-free experience.