Instagram begins rolling out subscriptions for content creators

Users on Instagram don’t have the privilege to support the people they follow through money, like apps such as Patreon and OnlyFans.

The only way for users on Instagram to turn a profit is by seeking out sponsors themselves, however, the Meta-owned platform is about to do just that, by getting ready to launch a new subscription to support creators.

As such, the Instagram app for iOS was recently updated with new in-app purchases named “Instagram Subscriptions” with prices ranging from $0.99 to $4.99, according to analytics firms Sensor Tower and Apptopia (via TechCrunch).

The company had already stated earlier this year that they would be studying the idea of creator-based subscriptions, and now both Sensor Tower and Apptopia are reporting that the company appears to be getting ready to launch the feature.

Given that Instagram doesn’t say what the purpose of these in-app purchases is, these are likely part of the company’s strategy to further monetize the platform while also offering a way for users to give money to the creators they follow and love.

With these in-app purchases showing up on the App Store, the official announcement of the new feature is expected in the near future.

An Instagram subscription to support creators doesn’t exactly come as news, as the company itself confirmed earlier this year that it was working on “Exclusive Stories,” which would be available only to those who pay for them.

On that same front, Twitter also announced earlier this year a similar feature called Super Follow, which lets creators offer exclusive content to subscribers, whereas other platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, Pinterest, and YouTube have been working on similar subscriptions.