Snapchat on Wednesday announced the launch of a brand new Snapchat+ tier referred to as “Lens+.” The brand new tier prices $8.99 monthly and, as its identify suggests, is centered round giving customers entry to unique Lenses and AR experiences.
Along with giving customers entry to the perks unlocked with the usual $3.99 monthly Snapchat+ tier, Lens+ provides customers the flexibility to make use of lots of of Lenses that allow you to “play, create, and share Snaps” with others, the corporate says.
“We’re beginning with Lenses constructed by Snapchat and choose creators, together with unique new AI video Lenses, a model new Bitmoji Recreation Lens, and extra — and we’ll be including new AR experiences each week,” Snapchat defined in a blog post.
A Snap spokesperson informed TechCrunch in an electronic mail that the corporate received’t be gating any Lenses which have beforehand been obtainable without cost.
Within the coming months, choose Lens creators will be capable of monetize unique Lenses, the corporate says. Which means creators will be capable of unlock a brand new solution to develop their earnings on the platform. Snapchat didn’t share any particulars about what the income break up will appear like for creators.
Launched in 2022, Snapchat+ has over 14 million paid subscribers. The social community has attributed the paid subscription tier as a giant driver of income progress.
In April, Snap reported first-quarter income of $1.36 billion, a 14% year-over-year improve. The corporate mentioned on the time that the uptick was pushed by the expansion of its Snapchat+ subscription service, together with progress that it had made with its promoting options.
By launching one other subscription tier, Snap is seeking to develop its income much more by locking its extra superior Lenses and AR experiences behind a paywall. After all, not everybody will need to pay to entry these options.
It’s value noting that Snapchat additionally presents a $14.99 monthly Platinum Snapchat+ tier that eliminates adverts, and provides you entry to the entire perks in the usual Snapchat+ and Lens+ tiers.