According to Business Insider, Instagram has recently started to add paid restrictions to some AI photo editing features. After using the AI photo editing feature to a certain extent, the app will require users to subscribe to the Meta One Core membership to continue using more AI effects, otherwise they will have to wait until the next day to try again.
Meta introduced the Meta One subscription service in May of this year, which costs $7.99 per month (approximately 53.7 Chinese yuan). This membership primarily offers a series of AI benefits and in-app personalized features, such as previewing Instagram Stories without actually opening the other person's post, using retro-style Instagram icons, and other special app icons. It also allows users to personalize the visual interface of Facebook and WhatsApp.
This is not the first time that Meta has tried to charge users through subscription services. In 2023, Meta launched Meta Verified, which charges users monthly and provides additional benefits such as a blue verification badge. Now, Meta is further incorporating advanced features like AI functions into a paid system.
Foreign media pointed out that as Meta further limits the AI photo editing features on Instagram, it inevitably faces more direct competition with Adobe Photoshop, VSCO, and Tezza, a photo editing app founded by influencers. However, many users still prefer traditional free filters on Instagram. Whether consumers are willing to pay for the new AI photo editing features remains to be seen.
