Facebook is expanding the Subscriptions feature by adding a new way for creators to get around Apple’s App Store fees. Utilizing its in-house payment method Facebook Pay, the social media giant says that they won’t take a cut from creators earning through the feature until at least 2023.
Subscriptions lets fans support their favourite creators by paying them a certain amount on a monthly basis, usually in exchange for exclusive content — similar to Patreon or OnlyFans. Currently, creators who use Subscriptions have to give up 15-30% of their earnings from subscribers who pay through the Facebook app on iOS, as Apple takes a commission fee on in-app purchases.
To get around this, Facebook is adding a tool called “Promotional Link”, which is a personalised link found in Creator Studio that creators can use to direct their audience towards a sign-up page. This page allows fans to pay for their subscription using Facebook Pay instead of going through the App Store, circumventing the fees.
The Meta subsidiary says that they will let creators keep 100% of what they earn, minus taxes. Additionally, the social media giant is also launching a new bonus program, where creators can get between US$5 (~RM20) and US$20 (~RM83) for each new subscriber who signs up between now and the end of the year, and they can earn up to US$10000 (~RM41535). The invite-only program is valid in the 27 markets where Subscriptions is available, including Malaysia.
(Source: Facebook.)
