Plans For Facebook Messenger Ads Revealed in Leaked Document

Facebook will be launching ads within Messenger during Q2 of 2016, according to new information found in a leaked document.

The document, which was sent to some of the network’s biggest advertisers, was shared with TechCrunch last week, and revealed Facebook’s plans to give businesses the ability to send ads as messages to people who had previously initiated a chat thread with them.

According to the site, the document also outlines some preparations for the companies, recommending that they get consumers to begin message threads with them now, to allow them to send ads when the feature launches.

Additionally, the documents reports that the social media giant has already launched a URL short link, fb.com/msg/, which once clicked, opens a direct chat thread with a business.

According to TechCrunch, Facebook confirmed the launch of the new short links, and has also commented on the Messenger ads, saying: “We don’t comment on rumour or speculation.

“That said, our aim with Messenger is to create a high quality, engaging experience for 800 million people around the world, and that includes ensuring people do not experience unwanted messages of any type.”

Messenger currently has 800m monthly active users, making it one of the network’s most popular services.

But whilst the new Facebook Messenger ads will help businesses to improve their brand reach within the platform, they will only be able to send these ads to users who have initiated a chat thread with them.

This will work to eliminate the chances of brands spamming large numbers of users with Messenger ads at one time.

Twitter has also just added new tools to help brands better communicate with their customers, by making it easier to switch the conversation to a direct message.

Like the Facebook short link, businesses can now add a deep link to their Tweets that creates a “Send a private message” button, enabling the customer to quickly send the business a direct message after getting in contact.

Find out more about the new Twitter tools here.