Would you pay to secretly check up on your ex? Instagram might be making it possible

Let’s be honest – most of us are a little bit nosy. 

And if you’re anything like me, I’m very nosy on a good day (and only slightly less on a bad one). There’s nothing quite like catching up with an old friend and suddenly remembering someone from your school days… and needing to know what they’re up to now. 

But are you going to look at their Story? Absolutely not. 

Because what if they notice? 

Or worse… what if they don’t notice. 

Well, that awkward little dilemma might soon be a thing of the past, thanks to a new feature being tested by Meta. 

What is Instagram Plus?

Instagram is reportedly trialling a new paid subscription called Instagram Plus – and it’s already got people talking. 

The biggest draw? A “stealth mode” that lets you view Stories without your name appearing on the viewer list. 

So yes – you could scroll through someone’s Story completely under the radar. No accidental likes, no being spotted, no giving yourself away. 

Perfect for checking in on: 

• An ex you definitely don’t want to message 

• Someone you used to know but can’t quite place 

• That one girl from school who you’re sure is on her 8th holiday of the year but you don’t want to seem too obsessed with 

What features do you get with Instagram Plus?

It’s not just about stealth scrolling (even if that’s the headline feature). 

The subscription is also expected to include: 

• Seeing how many times your Story has been rewatched 

• Posting Stories that last longer than the usual 24 hours 

• Creating more tailored audience lists (beyond just Close Friends) 

• Extra engagement tools like “Superlikes” which will come with a fun animation 

So while the sneaky viewing might grab attention, it’s really a full bundle of Story-focused upgrades. 

How much is Instagram Plus?

Reports suggest it could cost between £1 and £2 a month. 

So less than a coffee for a whole month of very discreet scrolling. 

Is Instagram Plus available in the UK?

Not just yet. 

The feature is still being tested in select countries and Meta hasn’t confirmed when it’ll roll out more widely – or if it definitely will. 

So for now, UK users will have to wait (and keep viewing Stories the normal, very visible way). 

Why is Instagram introducing this?

This move is part of a wider shift from Meta, as it looks to expand into paid features and subscriptions. 

With social media platforms increasingly offering premium perks, this could be one of Instagram’s biggest changes yet. 

Be honest… would you pay for it?

Because while it might sound a bit dramatic, it taps into something very real. 

Curiosity. 

Whether it’s an ex, someone from school, or just a random “whatever happened to them?” fixation… sometimes you just want a little look without announcing your arrival. 

So go on – how much would you actually pay for a completely invisible scroll? 

Less than your Netflix account? 
Less than the deep-seated wish you could slide into their DMs without being awkward? 
Or… nothing at all?