Meta Platforms is rolling out ad-free subscription plans for Instagram and Facebook in Europe, aiming to comply with European Union regulations. Starting next month, European users can access Facebook and Instagram without ads by subscribing. While free access with ads in feeds remains available, the ad-free option is exclusively for individuals aged 18 and above.

• Meta's announcement of the ad-free subscription for Facebook and Instagram came through a blog post.
• EU, EEA and Swiss users can get a non-stop experience free of advertisements although there are monthly fees depending on the platform utilized.
• The ad-free subscription is initially open to users aged 18 and older in the specified regions and covers linked Facebook and Instagram accounts until March 1, 2024. Afterward, additional charges apply for extra accounts.

Meta introduced its paid ad-free subscription option for Facebook and Instagram in response to European regulations, including the Digital Markets Act and GDPR. This service will be available for users in the EU, EEA, and Switzerland starting May 2019. Web users get €9.99 a month while iOS and Android pay €12.99 including those charged by Apple/Google.
This ad-free subscription will be accessible to users aged 18 and above and extends to all linked Facebook and Instagram accounts until March 1, 2024. Post this date, users will be required to pay an additional EUR 6 per month on the web and EUR 8 per month on iOS and Android for each extra account listed in their Account Center.

Meta's decision to offer this paid subscription reflects its commitment to comply with evolving European regulations while continuing to provide free access to its products for users who prefer not to subscribe. Advertisers will also maintain the ability to run personalized campaigns in Europe, ensuring access to those who opt for the free, ad-supported service.
Comparatively, Meta's new subscription makes Facebook and Instagram a more budget-friendly choice than X's Premium+ subscription (formerly Twitter Blue), which costs $16 per month and removes ads while offering a blue checkmark. X's basic tier, priced at $3 per month, does not offer an ad-free experience.