• The subscription plan, called "Snapchat+", comes after the social media company reported a disappointing sales outlook for the current quarter when it reported first-quarter results in April.
• Launched in nine countries including the U.S., the paid subscription service could help Snapchat diversify its revenue sources if it turns out to be popular.
• The Plus plan includes pre-release, experimental, and exclusive features such as pinning your close friend as BFF and customizing the app's icon.

Snap announced Wednesday it's rolling out a $3.99/month subscription plan for Snapchat that unlocks exclusive and pre-release features. It's called Snapchat+.

The announcement comes after Snapchat gave a disappointing sales outlook for the current quarter when it reported first-quarter results in April. Snap CFO Derek Andersen said at the time that macroeconomic conditions like supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and inflation are impacting advertising, Snap's main source of revenue.

Snapchat+ could help the company diversify its revenue sources, though Snapchat's senior vice president of products Jacob Andreou told The Verge that the company doesn't expect the plan to become a "material new revenue source."

Shares of Snapchat were down about 1% at 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday morning.

The Plus plan includes pre-release, experimental and exclusive features such as pining your close friend as a BFF (best friend forever) and customizing the app's icon. It is intended for the "most passionate members" of Snapchat users, the company said.

Other social media platforms have also rolled out subscription services recently. Twitter in 2021 announced the Blue subscription that offers ad-free access to other websites for $2.99 a month. Chat app Telegram introduced Telegram Premium in June.

Snapchat+ launches Wednesday in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.