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Instagram is testing adverts that users cannot skip past:
The social media platform currently allows people to swipe or scroll past adverts that appear in its main feed of images and videos, as well as in its Stories and Reels feeds.
But it is now trialling a feature called "ad break", which users say they can not flick past as usual.
Images shared online show a timer, which counts down to zero before normal functionality can resume.
"Sometimes you may need to view an ad before you can keep browsing," the Meta-owned platform tells those who click for more information.
Instagram has confirmed to the BBC that a trial is under way.
"We're always testing formats that can drive value for advertisers," it said in a statement, adding that it would provide further updates if the test resulted in permanent format changes.
It remains to be seen if the trial pleases advertisers - but it certainly does not appear to have gone down well with users.
[...] Meta is not the first big tech firm to force people to watch adverts.
YouTube is known for showing non-skippable ads to users watching videos on its platform or TV app who do not pay for its ad-free premium tier.
[...] Some users have responded by turning to ad blocking tools and browser extensions as a way around adverts that interrupt videos on the platform.
Google, YouTube's parent company, is in turn trying to clamp down on ad blockers.
However it is not clear that forcing users to watch more ads actually helps companies' bottom lines.
A study carried out by TikTok, published in January, suggested forcing viewers to watch adverts might actually lead to less engagement.
More than 70% of its participants said they were more likely to engage with the experience of an advert if there was an option to skip it.
(Score: 5, Funny) by Gaaark on Wednesday June 05 2024, @08:50PM (2 children)
They came for Instagram and I said, "Who cares?".
Then they came for Friendface and I said, "Who cares?"
They came for all the other 'social media' sites and i still said, "Who cares?"
I just don't care 'cos i don't use the shite sites.
Stop using them and they'll beg you to use them. Beg! On their knees. Muahahaha!
And still say no... though I'd kill for a Cuke...
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 4, Interesting) by aafcac on Thursday June 06 2024, @12:18AM (1 child)
TBH, if people would stop clicking on the ads, they'd stop pushing them so aggressively and offer up a proper alternative way of funding the site.
It's part of why YT has had such a problem with scams as the main ads. I haven't noticed it as much lately, but it used to be nearly entirely scams for things like crypto currencies and solar installations.
(Score: 2) by mendax on Thursday June 06 2024, @02:35AM
Oh, yes, I love some of YouTube's scams. One of the early ones that made me skip it really fast is the Epoch Times trying to convince me that they are a reliable (meaning factual) source for news. That rag is only good for lining the bottom of a cat box.
It's really quite a simple choice: Life, Death, or Los Angeles.