If you're using Facebook Messenger, expect to start seeing ads popping up on the homescreen sometime in the not-too-distant future. Facebook is currently testing placing ads in Messenger, which, once rolled out globally, means an added annoyance for 1 billion users worldwide.
Facebook has launched what it describes as "a very small test" displaying ads in Messenger. Australia and Thailand are the unlucky countries Facebook has chosen as guinea pigs. And anyone in the test group will start seeing ads on the Messenger homescreen "in the coming weeks".
During the test, businesses will be able to place an ad on the Facebook Messenger homescreen right underneath your recent conversations. Ads will not originate in conversations, but may show up if you start a conversation with a brand or click on an ad.
In its blog post announcing the test, Facebook talks up ads in Messenger as a good thing. The social network suggests this is a "useful approach to helping people and businesses connect on Messenger" and maintains "people are interested in hearing from and interacting with business and brands on Messenger". Are they? Are you?!
Facebook Means Business Means Ads
Facebook concludes its blog post by saying, "We hope to learn a lot from this test, but we will take our time before considering further expansion to ensure that we deliver the very best experience to both advertisers and the 1 billion people who use Messenger every month".
We're sure Facebook WILL consider all of its options before showing ads to everyone. However, like all businesses, Facebook wants to make money, and making money from the 1 billion people using Messenger every month means placing ads in front of their eyeballs.
We suspect this is a done deal at this stage. And by that we mean ads will be coming to Messenger; it's just a question of when, not if. And if that bothers you then now is the time to start testing the various Facebook Messenger alternatives.
Do you use Facebook Messenger? What made you choose Messenger over the alternatives? Are you upset to discover Facebook is testing ads in Messenger? Or do you understand the need for Facebook to make Messenger pay? Please let us know in the comments below!