Instagram is currently evaluating a new paid subscription service aimed at power users, which may introduce features that help in the careful management and observation of their audiences, according to a developer who monitors unreleased functionalities.
The suggested subscription will supposedly provide tools like the capacity to generate unlimited audience lists, identify which followers are not reciprocating follows, and view Instagram Stories discreetly without being listed as a viewer, developer Alessandro Paluzzi mentioned in a post on X on January 22.
Highlights
Instagram is developing a new paid subscription
The subscription will offer additional benefits, including the capability to create unlimited audience lists, assess which followers do not follow back, and discreetly view stories without notifying the poster.
— Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) January 22, 2026
The social media network, part of Meta Platforms, already presents various paid solutions. These encompass Meta Verified subscriptions on Instagram and Facebook, which come with a verification badge and account assistance, along with creator subscriptions that grant fans access to unique posts and Stories.
Targeting Inquisitive Users
If implemented, the new subscription plan would appeal to what Paluzzi termed “chronically curious” individuals, who are interested in gaining more profound insights into follower interaction and behaviour. The subscription might also introduce extra features, such as a “Super Like” function to emphasise boosted interactions and the facility to look for specific users within a Story’s viewer list, as noted by Paluzzi.
Current User Workarounds
At present, many users resort to alternative methods, such as third-party applications or temporary offline settings, to view Stories anonymously, although these approaches may pose risks to privacy and account safety. A built-in paid service could lessen the dependence on these options while generating an additional revenue channel for the platform.
Instagram has yet to officially verify this development.
