Facebook today announced that it has begun testing ads in the Messenger app. The test will be limited to users in Australia and Thailand and will allow businesses to place ads on the Messenger home screen below favorite users and most recent conversations.

messengeradsfv
The company says that "no one will see an ad in a conversation without clicking on an ad experience on the Messenger home screen or starting a conversation with a brand." Facebook assures that ads will not "originate" in conversations.

Facebook says businesses have told the company that they're excited to use the Messenger platform to connect to its billion users, driving sales and building brand awareness. Currently, Facebook runs ads on its News Feed that, when clicked, take users into Messenger conversations with brands. This has helped person-to-business messaging grow popular, with Facebook saying over a billion messages are sent a month between people and businesses.

Messenger users will have "complete control" over their experience, and will be able to either hide or report specific ads using a dropdown menu, similar to how users can report ads on their News Feed. Additionally, advertisers are not allowed to directly message users unless the user initiates the conversation.

The test will only work for a "very small group" of people in Australia and Thailand, and Facebook says the company will take its time before it considers further expansion.

Top Rated Comments

ike1707 Avatar
114 months ago
I have never once read a news item that made me miss Facebook
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
An_Excelent_Username Avatar
114 months ago
Another service that lures people into it as free then puts ads.
If you use any such "service" that bills itself as free, you should know that YOU are the product.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Legend of Ive Avatar
114 months ago
Another service that lures people into it as free then puts ads.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thingstoponder Avatar
114 months ago
Facebook is pure garbage.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jerry16 Avatar
114 months ago
I honestly didn't think the Messenger app could be any more sickening than it already is. Leave it to FB to prove me wrong.

Also, never once have I purchased anything through a FB ad; most of them seem so sleazy and sketchy.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
modemthug Avatar
114 months ago
Another reason why iMessage is best message
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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