Meta introduces paid “No Ads” option for Facebook and Instagram

WEB DESK: Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is rolling out a prompt encouraging users to sign up for the paid “No Ads” version of its platforms, a move aligned with its response to new EU privacy regulations.

The strategic shift positions the use of Meta’s services with targeted ads as a user’s choice.

However, this choice comes with a financial implication, as the only alternative to viewing ads on Facebook and Instagram is to pay approximately $20 per month for an ad-free experience.

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The new prompt specifies that users of both platforms will eventually need to pay an additional fee covering both profiles.

The development was observed when a pop-up appeared on an Instagram account, indicating that users may see similar prompts on Facebook.

The ad-free subscription is priced at €9.99 per month when purchased on the web or €12.99 per month through Google or Apple’s app stores, covering all linked accounts at present.

Nevertheless, starting from March 1, subscribers will face an additional fee for any extra linked profiles in their Meta Account center. This extra cost is €6 per month if purchased directly or €8 if acquired through an app store. Notably, the ad-free service is restricted to users aged 18 and above.

According to Meta, the new choice is introduced in response to changing laws in the user’s region. Adult users in eligible countries will be asked to decide between subscribing to the ad-free option or using the platforms for free, with the latter choice implying exposure to personalized ads and utilisation of user information for advertising purposes.