Meta’s Threads app introduces a brand-new Following feed, offering users an alternative way to interact with the platform. However, the following feed doesn’t always remain visible, as the app defaults back to the algorithmic ‘For You’ feed periodically.
Threads in the following feed
To access the Following feed, users can tap the home icon at the bottom of the screen or the Threads logo at the top. This feed displays posts in reverse-chronological order, allowing users to keep up with the latest updates. Conversely, the ‘For You’ feed, arranged algorithmically, has been the app’s default offering since its launch.
The Verge noticed that Threads occasionally hides the Following feed and reverts users to the For You feed upon opening the app. Meta has confirmed that the For You feed is designed to be the default experience. While users can switch to the Following feed, they have no option to set it as the default.
This decision has drawn criticism, especially from users seeking to keep up with the latest news regularly. However, Meta’s statement aligns with Instagram’s approach, where the Following feed is also deprioritized and hidden behind a nondescript arrow next to the Instagram logo.
Interestingly, this behavior echoes Elon Musk’s Twitter experiment, where the “For You” feed was set as the default in January. However, the decision was quickly reversed after user backlash.
While Meta has not indicated any immediate plans to make the Following feed the default option permanently, users may continue to hope for a more user-friendly and customizable Threads experience in the future.
In a strategic shift, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg revealed plans for a premium subscription tier for Meta AI, positioning it to compete directly with OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus, Google’s Gemini Advanced, and Microsoft’s Copilot Pro. The announcement came during Meta’s Q1 2025 earnings call, signaling a major push to monetize its rapidly growing AI platform.
With nearly 1 billion users already engaging with Meta AI across Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and its new standalone app, this move could reshape the AI subscription wars. But will users pay for yet another premium chatbot?
Why Is Meta Introducing a Paid AI Tier?
Zuckerberg framed the decision as a natural evolution:
“There’s an opportunity to offer a premium service for people who want to unlock more compute or additional functionality.”
This suggests Meta AI’s paid version could include: ✔ Faster, more powerful AI responses (similar to GPT-4 Turbo in ChatGPT Plus) ✔ Advanced image generation (beyond current free capabilities) ✔ Early access to new AI features (like multi-modal AI or coding assistance) ✔ Ad-free or priority support
Meta’s AI Expansion: A $72 Billion Bet
Meta’s AI ambitions are skyrocketing, with key developments:
New Standalone Meta AI App – Launched this week, allowing direct chatbot interaction and image generation.
Massive Investment Increase – AI spending projections jumped from 65Bto65Bto72B, outpacing rivals.
Ads & Product Recommendations Coming – Zuckerberg hinted at AI-powered shopping integrations, similar to Google’s SGE.
But here’s the catch: Meta won’t rush monetization. Zuckerberg emphasized:
“We’ll be focused on scaling and deepening engagement for at least the next year before building out the business.”
This means the paid tier may not launch until 2026, giving Meta time to refine its AI before charging users.
How Does Meta AI Compare to Paid Rivals?
Feature
Meta AI (Free)
Meta AI (Paid?)
ChatGPT Plus
Gemini Advanced
Speed/Performance
Standard
Likely faster
GPT-4 Turbo
Gemini Ultra
Image Generation
Yes (basic)
Advanced?
DALL·E 3
Imagen 2
Multi-Modal AI
Limited
Possible upgrade
Yes (voice/vision)
Yes (Gemini 1.5)
Price
Free
TBA (Est. 10−10−20/mo)
$20/month
$19.99/month
Key Question: Will Meta undercut competitors on pricing, or match them with superior features?
The Bigger Picture: Meta’s AI Monetization Strategy
Freemium Model Works – Like OpenAI, Meta will likely keep a free tier to retain mass adoption.
Ads Are Coming – AI-generated product recommendations could boost Meta’s ad revenue (already at $42B last quarter).
Hardware Synergy? – Could Meta AI Pro bundle with Quest VR or Ray-Ban Meta glasses?
Expert Analysis: Can Meta Compete with OpenAI & Google?
As a digital strategist tracking AI trends since 2020, I see three possible outcomes:
✅ Success Scenario – If Meta AI’s paid tier offers unique social integrations (e.g., WhatsApp business tools), it could carve a niche. ⚠ Mid-Tier Performer – If it’s just a ChatGPT clone, users may stick with established players. ❌ Struggle Scenario – If Meta rushes ads too aggressively, it could alienate users (like X/Twitter’s AI backlash).
What Should Users Do Now?
🔹 Try Meta AI’s Free Tier – Test its image generation & chatbot before paying. 🔹 Watch for Early Beta Access – Meta may offer discounts for early subscribers. 🔹 Compare Alternatives – Gemini Advanced and Copilot Pro still lead in enterprise AI.
Final Verdict: A Bold Gamble, But Will It Pay Off?
Meta’s move into paid AI was inevitable—but its $72B investment shows Zuckerberg is all-in. The key will be differentiation:
✔ If Meta AI leverages its social data (e.g., personalized recommendations), it could win. ✖ If it’s just another chatbot, users may ignore it.
Your Turn: Would you pay for Meta AI Pro, or stick with ChatGPT/Gemini? Comment below!
Meta has confirmed another round of layoffs, this time targeting its Reality Labs division, though the exact number of affected employees remains undisclosed. This move comes as part of the company’s ongoing “Year of Efficiency” initiative that began in 2023, which has already seen Meta reduce its workforce by about 22% across multiple waves of cuts.
Areas Most Affected by the Cuts
The restructuring has particularly impacted:
Oculus Studios teams developing games for Quest VR headsets
Hardware development groups working on future VR/AR devices
Supernatural, Meta’s flagship VR fitness platform acquired for $400 million in 2021
A message posted to the official Supernatural Facebook group suggests these changes aim to “help us work more efficiently on what the future of fitness could be,” indicating possible strategic redirection rather than complete abandonment of the fitness vertical.
Behind Meta’s Reality Labs Restructuring
Mixed Signals in Meta’s VR Strategy
Meta spokesperson Tracy Clayton explained the changes reflect structural shifts meant to improve efficiency in developing “future mixed reality experiences.” This carefully worded statement suggests:
A continued commitment to VR/AR development
Potential reallocation of resources toward more promising projects
Possible deprioritization of certain existing VR content
The Broader Context of Meta’s VR Challenges
These layoffs occur against a backdrop of:
Disappointing Quest headset sales, with the Quest 3S already seeing price cuts
Strong performance of Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, exceeding expectations
Ongoing financial losses in Reality Labs, which reported $3.8 billion in operating losses in Q1 2024 alone
Analyzing the Implications
What This Means for the VR Industry
Content Development Slowdown: Fewer resources for Oculus Studios may mean fewer first-party VR titles
Strategic Reprioritization: Meta appears to be shifting focus from pure VR toward mixed reality
Hardware Uncertainty: Layoffs in hardware teams raise questions about future device roadmaps
The Supernatural Paradox
The treatment of Supernatural is particularly noteworthy:
Legal Victory: Meta successfully defended its acquisition against antitrust challenges
High Investment: The $400 million purchase was one of Meta’s largest VR content acquisitions
Current Downsizing: Despite this, the team is now facing cuts
Expert Perspectives on Meta’s Moves
Industry analysts suggest several interpretations:
Cost-Cutting Measure: Part of Zuckerberg’s efficiency drive amid massive Reality Labs losses
Strategic Pivot: Possibly reallocating resources toward AI integration in VR/AR
Market Realignment: Responding to slower-than-expected VR adoption rates
The Road Ahead for Meta’s Metaverse Vision
While these cuts might suggest wavering commitment, Meta maintains it’s still investing heavily in mixed reality. Key questions remain:
Will these efficiency moves accelerate profitability in Reality Labs?
How will content quality be affected by reduced development teams?
Does this signal a broader shift in Meta’s metaverse strategy?
One thing is clear: Meta continues to balance its ambitious long-term VR/AR goals with the financial realities of running a public company. These layoffs represent another adjustment in that delicate balancing act rather than a wholesale retreat from the metaverse vision.
