When it comes to staying connected, Instagram has become a go-to platform for many of us here in Suwannee County. From sharing snippets of our day-to-day lives to keeping tabs on community updates, it’s a part of our daily routine. But recent developments from Meta, the company behind Instagram, could significantly change our scrolling habits.
Non-Skippable Ads on Instagram: What We Know
According to TechCrunch, Meta is reportedly testing non-skippable ads on Instagram’s feed. These ads, referred to as “ad breaks,” appear as you scroll down your feed and require you to watch an ad for a few seconds before you can continue scrolling. Unlike ads on Instagram’s Reels, these ad breaks are non-skippable.
Once users encounter an ad break, they are greeted with a message stating, “You’re seeing an ad break. Ad breaks are a new way of seeing ads on Instagram. Sometimes you may need to view an ad before you keep browsing.”
While non-skippable ads are common on platforms like YouTube, this is the first time they’ve been introduced in a scrolling social media feed.
User Reactions: Not Exactly Receptive
Unsurprisingly, initial reactions from users who have encountered these ad breaks have been less than positive. Many users have expressed frustration, with one Reddit user stating, “I hate this new ‘feature’ so much – it is so in your face and to me, feels like a terrible business decision.”
The user adds that the platform already generates substantial revenue from “soft ads,” and forcing users to stop scrolling draws attention to the fact that the app is designed to sell them things. Some users have even threatened to unsubscribe if the feature continues.
Why the Move? The Financial Aspect
Despite the backlash, it’s key to understand why Meta might have made this move. Instagram isn’t hurting for money. In fact, court filings from April revealed that Instagram’s ad revenue surpassed that of YouTube. Specifically, in 2020, Instagram generated $22 billion in ad revenue compared to YouTube’s $19.7 billion.
Furthermore, Instagram contributes to around one-third of Meta’s revenues. Therefore, it’s plausible that Meta is introducing these ad breaks as a strategy to increase this income further.
Takeaways
- Meta is testing non-skippable ads, or “ad breaks,” on Instagram.
- Users who encounter these ads must watch them before continuing to scroll.
- The user response to these ad breaks has been largely negative.
- Despite user backlash, financial data suggests that this move could be an attempt by Meta to increase its ad revenue.
In conclusion, while these changes might disrupt our usual Instagram scrolling, it’s essential to stay informed about these developments. As we navigate these changes together, I’ll continue to provide updates and insights to help us understand the ever-evolving world of social media.
