Facebook and Instagram Introduce £2.99 UK Subscription to Bypass Ads
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced the launch of a paid subscription service in the UK, allowing users to avoid seeing ads on both platforms. The new service will cost £2.99 per month, making it cheaper than its EU counterpart, which starts at €5.99 (approximately £4.90) per month.
According to Meta, the subscription service aims to give UK users more control over their data and advertising preferences while preserving the free access and value that ads-supported internet creates for people, businesses, and platforms. The company will start notifying users in the coming weeks to let them choose whether to subscribe to its platforms if they wish to use them without seeing ads.
The introduction of the paid subscription service follows a similar ad-free option already available in the EU. Meta's decision to offer a lower price for UK users is seen as an attempt to cater to the local market and compete with other social media platforms that have introduced similar features. "It will give people in the UK a clear choice about whether their data is used for personalised advertising," said a Meta spokesperson.
The new service is expected to generate revenue for Meta, which has faced criticism over its handling of user data and advertising practices. The company's decision to offer a paid subscription option may be seen as an effort to address these concerns and provide users with more control over their online experience.
According to a report by the BBC, the introduction of the paid subscription service is part of Meta's efforts to diversify its revenue streams and reduce its reliance on advertising. The company has been under pressure from regulators and lawmakers to improve its data protection practices and address concerns around misinformation and hate speech on its platforms.
The £2.99 monthly fee for the UK subscription service is significantly lower than what users in other countries pay for similar services. For example, Facebook's ad-free option costs $6.99 per month in the US, while Instagram's equivalent service costs €5.99 per month in the EU. The lower price point may make it more appealing to UK users who are looking for a way to avoid seeing ads on their social media platforms.
The introduction of the paid subscription service is expected to have implications for both Meta and its competitors. As more users opt for ad-free experiences, the company's advertising revenue may decline, forcing it to adapt its business model. However, the move may also provide an opportunity for Meta to increase its revenue through subscription fees while offering users a more personalized experience.
Meta has not specified when the paid subscription service will be available in other countries or whether it plans to introduce similar features on other platforms. As the company continues to navigate the changing landscape of social media and online advertising, one thing is clear: UK users now have a new option for avoiding ads on Facebook and Instagram.
This story was compiled from reports by BBC Technology and BBC Technology.
