Snap adds $8.99/month Lens+ to boost AR features
Snapchat on Wednesday introduced “Lens+”, a new Snapchat+ tier, priced at $8.99 monthly. This subscription provides users with exclusive Lenses and augmented reality (AR) experiences.
Besides standard Snapchat+ benefits at $3.99 per month, Lens+ subscribers gain access to hundreds of Lenses for interactive Snaps, as stated by the company.
Snapchat explained in a blog post, “We’re starting with Lenses built by Snapchat and select creators, including exclusive new AI video Lenses, a brand new Bitmoji Game Lens, and more — and we’ll be adding new AR experiences every week.”
A Snap spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch via email that previously free Lenses will not be restricted to the new subscription.
Snapchat intends to allow select Lens creators to monetize exclusive Lenses. The company stated this will provide creators a new avenue for increasing platform earnings, but details regarding revenue sharing were not disclosed.
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Snapchat+, which launched in 2022, currently has more than 14 million subscribers. The company has identified it as a significant contributor to revenue growth.
In April, Snap reported a first-quarter revenue of $1.36 billion, marking a 14% year-over-year increase. The company attributed this growth to the Snapchat+ subscription service and advancements in advertising solutions.
Snap aims to further increase revenue by offering advanced Lenses and AR experiences through a paid subscription. A $14.99 monthly Platinum Snapchat+ tier is also available, which removes ads and grants access to all standard, Lens+, and Platinum benefits.