Instagram is testing new ad formats overlaid on user Stories, driving viewers towards promoted apps. These pop-up ads appear within friends' Stories with a small CTA button, as seen in examples shared by 404 Media.
The ads currently promote "Super Rumble," a game for Meta's virtual reality platform, Horizon Worlds, creating a surreal experience when juxtaposed with personal content.
Key Details
- Ad Type: The ads are for "Super Rumble," a game on Meta's virtual reality platform, Horizon Worlds.
- Ad Placement: The ads pop up from the bottom of friends' stories, similar to ads in mobile games that users often click on accidentally.
- User Experience: The ads are unskippable until a timer counts down, adding to user frustration.
User Reactions
- Complaints on Social Media: Users on platforms like X and Reddit have been vocal about their annoyance, describing the ads as intrusive and insufferable.
- Examples: Screenshots show the ads appearing in stories about celebrities like Gwen Stefani and Olivia Rodrigo, leading some users to wonder if the ads are a virus.
Broader Context
- Previous Issues: Instagram has recently faced criticism for monetizing problematic ads. In response, they have been experimenting with unskippable video ads in the main feed, which prevent users from scrolling until the ad is complete
Meta has not yet commented on whether these ads will be rolled out more widely.
