iWorld
ShareChat breaks Janmashtami’s wishing record!
Mumbai: In a remarkable feat of unity and celebration, ShareChat, India’s leading social media platform, has set a new record for the maximum number of wishes shared online garnering a place in the India Book of Records. On the occasion of Janmashtami, ShareChat users shared 21.7 million wishes and set a spectacular record-breaking achievement that has captured the trend of how Indian festivals are celebrated.
ShareChat’s Janmashtami celebrations were a huge success, with over 800 million views generated on overall Janmashtami content. 26 per cent of all shares happened in the morning hours seven – nine a.m. slot, suggesting that people were eager to start their Janmashtami celebrations early.
ShareChat also saw a number of live broadcasts of Janmashtami celebrations from different temples like the Krishna Temple, Mathura and Vrindavan, Hare Krishna Hill, Bangalore, Iskcon Temples across India, Dwarkadhish Temple, Gujarat and Guruvayur Temple, Kerala. These live sessions garnered over two million views. Additionally, ShareChat users spent over 19 million minutes engaging in heart-warming discussions and captivating stories on ShareChat live audio chatrooms on Janmashtami.
ShareChat & Moj senior director, content strategy and operations Shashank Shekhar said, “ShareChat is the beating heart of India’s celebrations, where tradition meets the digital age. We are thrilled to have set a record for the maximum number of wishes shared on a festival online. Our platform’s position to bring people together, ignite conversations, and spread festive joy has been demonstrated in this spectacular achievement.”
India Book of Records – operations manager Sugata Das said, “Festival celebrations have seen a transformational shift in the digital era. Most festivals are now celebrated online with wishes being shared digitally. This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to ShareChat’s popularity as a platform for people to connect with each other and celebrate their culture and traditions. We congratulate ShareChat and its users on this achievement.”
The top three languages users that interacted with Janmashtami content on ShareChat were Hindi, Marathi, and Rajasthani. Janmashtami wishes content on ShareChat received 336.8 million views, suggesting that people were not only eager to share their greetings with each other but also loved consuming the devotional content on this auspicious occasion.
iWorld
Meta tests Instagram Plus with stealth features and extended story tools
New paid tier targets everyday users with more control and privacy perks
MUMBAI: Meta appears to be doubling down on subscriptions, quietly testing a new premium tier called Instagram Plus that brings a mix of privacy, control and visibility tools to everyday users of Instagram.
Unlike Meta Verified, which is geared towards creators and businesses, the new offering is aimed squarely at regular users who want a little more control over how they show up and what they see on the platform.
At the heart of Instagram Plus is a rethink of Stories, the app’s most widely used feature. The test introduces the ability to view Stories anonymously, meaning users can watch or preview content without appearing in the viewer list. It also adds “rewatch insights”, allowing users to see how many times their own Stories have been viewed, a metric that has long been a source of curiosity.
There is more. Stories can stay live for up to 48 hours instead of the usual 24, giving posts a longer shelf life. Users can also create multiple audience lists beyond “Close Friends”, making it easier to tailor content for different circles such as work, family or social groups.
For those chasing visibility, a weekly “Story Spotlight” feature lets users push a post to the front of their followers’ feed. Meanwhile, searchable viewer lists make it simpler to track who has seen a Story, and a new “superlike” reaction adds a more animated way to stand out in direct messages.
The feature set may feel familiar to some. Several of these tools have previously existed through third-party workarounds or have been widely requested by users, particularly the ability to browse Stories discreetly.
Pricing for the test is deliberately modest, suggesting a strategy focused on scale. Early trials show subscription costs at roughly $1 to $2 per month in markets such as the Philippines, Mexico and Japan. The feature has not yet rolled out in India, the United States or Europe, though a broader launch later in 2026 is widely expected if the pilot gains traction.
The move reflects a broader shift in Meta’s business model. With digital advertising facing increasing competition and regulatory scrutiny, subscription products offer a more predictable revenue stream. Rivals such as Snapchat Plus have already found success, building a sizeable paying user base with similar premium add-ons.
For Meta, the bet is simple: give users more control, a touch of stealth and a dash of exclusivity, and they may be willing to pay. If the early signs hold, Instagram Plus could turn everyday scrolling into a slightly more curated, and monetised, experience.
