July 19 (Reuters) - Facebook Inc FB.O plans to launch a subscription-based news product, and will begin initial tests in October, TheStreet reported on Tuesday, citing the social media company's news partnerships head Campbell Brown at a conference.

The feature is likely to allow publishers to create a paywall on Facebook's Instant Articles and guide readers to a publisher's home page to opt for a digital subscription, according to TheStreet report.

The idea for a paywall is based on premium and metered plans and has been in the works for a while, TheStreet said, citing Brown at the Digital Publishing Innovation Summit in New York.

Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Anya George Tharakan in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta) ((anyageorge.tharakan@thomsonreuters.com; within U.S. +1-646-223-8780; outside U.S. +91 80 6749 7118; Reuters Messaging: anyageorge.tharakan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))