Introduction to Ad-Free Facebook and Instagram
British users will soon be able to pay a monthly subscription fee to avoid seeing advertisements on Facebook and Instagram. Meta, the tech giant behind these apps, has announced that users will have the option to subscribe to an ad-free version of both platforms. This move is in response to guidance from the British Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
How the Subscription Works
The subscription will cost £3.99 per month for iPhone and Android apps, while web users can subscribe for £2.99 per month. Meta has set the subscription price at £2.99/month on the internet or £3.99/month for iOS and Android for the first meta account. The higher price for mobile app stores is due to the fees charged by Apple and Google for in-app payments. Users who choose to subscribe on the web will have their decision apply to all Facebook and Instagram accounts linked to their Meta account.
Additional Accounts and Fees
If a user has multiple accounts linked to their Meta account, they will be charged an additional £2 per month on the web or £3 per month for iOS and Android for each extra account. This means that users with multiple accounts will pay more to keep all their accounts ad-free.
Meta’s Move and the EU
Meta says that the move was inspired by the guidance of British regulatory authorities and differs from the approach taken in the EU. In the EU, Meta offers subscriptions for Facebook and Instagram at a higher price point, with costs ranging from €5.99 to €7.99 per month. The British starting price is significantly cheaper than the EU price.
Control Over Advertisements
Users who choose not to pay for the ad-free subscription can still control how their ads are personalized. Facebook and Instagram have an area in their settings called "ad preferences" where users can influence the ads they see and view the data used to inform them. Users can also click on the settings for an ad and choose "why am I seeing this ad?" to learn more about the advertising process.
Meta’s Advertising Process
Meta notes that it does not sell personal data to advertisers. Instead, advertisers pay Meta to reach a specific audience, which is then provided by Facebook and Instagram based on information about the users, such as their age, location, and interests.
Conclusion
The introduction of ad-free subscriptions for Facebook and Instagram marks a significant change in how Meta approaches advertising on its platforms. By giving users the option to pay for an ad-free experience, Meta is responding to regulatory guidance and providing users with more control over their online experience.
