Instagram is preparing to introduce more ads to its platform, and this time they will be integrated into search results. The Meta-Owned platform, which announced this late yesterday in a blog post, stated that “People come to Instagram to discover new brands, products or upcoming events”. As a result, it will now allow companies slip ads into the feed that appears when you tap into a post in Instagram’s search results.
Instagram’s recent announcement has left many wondering about the criteria for ad placement. And while the company has only stated that the ads will reach users who are actively searching for businesses, products, and content, Instagram spokesperson Shenny Barboza has provided more clarity on the matter. According to Barboza, ads will only appear for search terms that adhere to the community and recommendation guidelines. This means that users could potentially see ads on all searches that meet these criteria.
This move by Instagram is aimed at providing advertisers with more targeted ad placements while maintaining user trust and safety. Although this feature is currently being tested, Instagram intends to launch it worldwide in the next few months.
Alongside its search result ads, Instagram is also launching something called “reminder ads”. These ads are designed to send push notifications to users, reminding them of important dates or upcoming events.
However, unlike traditional ads, users have to opt-in to receive these reminders. The ads will feature a “Remind me” option embedded within them, allowing users to set reminders for events such as TV show premieres.
These reminders will be sent one day before the event, 15 minutes before, and at the start time of the event. This feature is aimed at providing users with a convenient way to stay updated on events without being intrusive or annoying.
Instagram has been increasing the number of ads on its platform, with ads now appearing on the Explore page, Explore feeds, Reels, Stories, and user profiles. This expansion of ads on the platform has been a gradual process over the years. Therefore, it’s not entirely surprising that Instagram has now included search result feeds as well.
However, it’s understandable that some users may be disappointed to see ads in yet another part of the platform. For those who enjoy scrolling without interruptions, this move by Instagram could be disheartening. Nonetheless, this is an essential move for the platform to generate revenue while providing advertisers with more targeted ad placements.
