Instagram Is Testing Out Unskippable Ads
Similar to how users have to watch ads before streaming a YouTube video.
Instagram is well aware that most users scroll through ads without giving them much of a thorough look. The app is apparently now planning to force users to view ads if they want to continue down their feed.
Instagram is testing “unskippable ads” that would show a user a timed countdown that would finish before they can continue scrolling, TechCrunch reported first.
The app confirmed the tests to the publication and some users have even reported being forced to watch ads labeled with a timed “ad break.”
Holy moly! Meta seemingly is now forcing us to watch ads in our feeds on Instagram!
The app legit stopped me from scrolling past this ad which is just a bonkers move to me. pic.twitter.com/740EXjGyl2
— Dan Levy ✡ דניאל לוי (@TheDanLevy) June 1, 2024
“We’re always testing formats that can drive value for advertisers,” a Meta spokesperson told TechCrunch. “As we test and learn, we will provide updates should this test result in any formal product changes.”
The update is similar to YouTube, which requires users to watch ads before a video begins, along with ads interspersed throughout the video.
