instagram ads will soon be much harder to ignore. As TechCrunch instagram-confirms-test-of-unskippable-ads/” data-ylk=”slk:reports;elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:1;pos:1;itc:0;sec:content-canvas”>Meta is testing a new type of unskippable ad in the instagram feed, which the company calls an “ad break.”
With the new ads, which have already been detected by some users, you cannot move past the feed ad until the “ad break” ends. According to screenshots shared on instagram/comments/1d52psw/ad_break_ie_unskippable_ads_now_on_instagram/” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank” data-ylk=”slk:Reddit;elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:2;pos:1;itc:0;sec:content-canvas”> and twitter.com/TheDanLevy/status/1796903470210892101″ rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank” data-ylk=”slk:x;elm:context_link;elmt:doNotAffiliate;cpos:3;pos:1;itc:0;sec:content-canvas”>, it appears that the “pauses” last a few seconds, although it's unclear if the length could change if Meta decided to make the new format official. “Ad breaks are a new way to view ads on instagram,” a message in the app states. “Sometimes you may need to see an ad before you can continue browsing.”
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My God! Meta apparently now forces us to see ads on our instagram feeds!
The legitimate app prevented me from going through this ad, which is just crazy to me. twitter.com/740EXjGyl2;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas” class=”link “>pic.twitter.com/740EXjGyl2
– Dan Levy Daniel Levy (@TheDanLevy) twitter.com/TheDanLevy/status/1796903470210892101?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank” data-ylk=”slk:June 1, 2024;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas” class=”link “>June 1, 2024
While non-skippable video ads are common on other platforms, like YouTube, it's a new and much more aggressive format for instagram. It's also notable that the company is experimenting with ads in its main feed instead of Reels or Stories, where video ads are more common (but can still be skipped for now).
Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but the company confirmed TechCrunch who was testing the new ad format. “As we test and learn, we will provide updates should this testing result in any formal changes to the product,” a Meta spokesperson said.
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