Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META) is expanding its AI and subscription businesses while introducing new safety measures for younger users, as the company looks to diversify beyond its core advertising business and address growing regulatory scrutiny.
Meta Pushes AI Monetization and New Revenue Streams
Meta recently began testing paid subscription tiers for its Meta AI app and website in select international markets, alongside new premium subscription offerings for Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and its verification services.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg also said a potential cloud computing business remains “on the table,” suggesting Meta could eventually explore opportunities beyond advertising and consumer apps.
The company continues to position AI and cloud services as future growth drivers, even though advertising still accounted for nearly all of its first-quarter revenue.
Analysts at Wolfe Research told CNBC that Meta’s AI subscriptions could create a meaningful new revenue stream over time, while noting that the company’s scale, AI investments, and product portfolio could help it generate revenue beyond digital advertising.
Meta Expands Teen Safety Controls Amid Regulatory Pressure
Meta also announced a global expansion of content protections for teen accounts across Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger. The company said it will continue applying age-appropriate content filters by default and plans to introduce a more restrictive “Limited Content” setting on Facebook and Messenger later this year, Reuters reported on Tuesday.
In addition, Instagram is testing a feature designed to diversify the content teens see and reduce repeated exposure to specific topics.
Meta said content related to subjects such as nutrition, fitness, or anxiety can be helpful but should be balanced with other content rather than shown repeatedly.
The moves come as regulators and courts increase scrutiny of social media’s impact on young users and as Meta warns that regulatory actions related to youth safety could affect its business and financial results.
Meta is the largest social media company in the world, with close to 4 billion monthly active users across its Family of Apps: Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp. The core model is straightforward—users get the apps for free, and Meta monetizes attention by packaging data from its ecosystem and selling targeted ads to marketers.
Earnings & Analyst Outlook
Looking further out, the next major catalyst for the stock arrives with the July 29, 2026 (estimated) earnings report.
- EPS Estimate: $7.18 (Up from $7.14 YoY)
- Revenue Estimate: $60.19 Billion (Up from $47.52 Billion YoY)
- Valuation: P/E of 21.8x (Suggests fair valuation relative to peers)
Analyst Consensus & Recent Actions: The stock carries a Buy rating with an average price target of $823.08. Recent analyst moves include:
- RBC Capital: Outperform (Maintains Target to $810.00) (June 1)
- Rosenblatt: Buy (Maintains Target to $1015.00) (May 28)
- Wells Fargo: Overweight (Lowers Target to $765.00) (May 20)
Price Action
META Stock Price Activity: Meta Platforms shares were up 1.13% at $607.27 at the time of publication on Tuesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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