14 DAY TRIAL // Facebook has just launched a small test in Australia and Thailand involving ads placed in the Messenger app, between chats with friends. Facebook says the test includes “ways for people and businesses to engage on Messenger.”
Facebook already offers Messenger users the option to send messages to businesses, chat with reps and get the information they need. Apparently, this isn’t enough and Facebook has found a way to place ads in Messenger.
As mentioned above, the only countries were the test is currently conducted are Australia and Thailand, where users will start seeing ads in the Messenger app right below recent conversations. They will be similar to how Facebook displays birthday notifications or the list of friends active on Messenger, but they’re much bigger and will take up a considerable amount of space on the screen. Facebook says that ads won’t be placed in conversations and that test users from Australia and Thailand will start seeing the ads in the coming weeks.
Users can hide or report specific ads
Facebook users sent over 1 billion messages to businesses each month, but the latter believe there’s more potential to reach customers and drive up sales through Messenger. Ads have already been displayed in the News Feed section for some time now and Facebook believes that the new test “reflects a lightweight, relevant and useful approach to helping people and businesses connect on Messenger.”
Users who are part of the test are given “complete control” over their Messenger experience and can hide/report specific ads. Businesses won’t be allowed to directly engage with users and message them, unless the person starts an interaction beforehand.
Facebook has mentioned that it’s considering further expansion of ads in Messenger, but it’s unclear if it will keep the current format or make any changes. This would mean that we might all start seeing ads when we launch the Messenger app and wish to start a conversation with a friend.