Surprise–Meta’s Threads Will Soon Get Ads, Says Report

Meta Platforms is preparing to roll out advertisements on its popular text-based social media app, Threads, starting early next year, The Information is reporting.

According to sources familiar with the company’s plans, Meta hopes to capitalize on Threads’ rapid user growth by integrating ads into the platform.

The advertising push will be led by a team within Instagram’s advertising division, and the project is still in its early stages. According to one source, the initiative will begin with a select group of advertisers who will be allowed to create and publish ads on the app starting in January 2025.

Since its launch, Threads has experienced significant user growth, positioning itself as a strong competitor in the crowded social media landscape. With millions of users flocking to the platform, it was only a matter of time before Meta explored monetization strategies.

While the introduction of ads on Threads was widely anticipated, some users may be concerned about how it will impact their experience on the platform.

Meta’s decision to implement advertisements comes as other social platforms like X (formerly Twitter) experience user declines due to controversies, such as Elon Musk’s increased political presence on X. This shift in the social media ecosystem has also led to a surge in users migrating to alternative platforms like Bluesky.

Meta’s decision to introduce ads could impact Threads’ appeal. Users who joined Threads in part because of its ad-free environment might be disappointed by the shift, and this change could present an opportunity for Bluesky.

That said, Meta has a track record of successfully integrating ads into its platforms without major disruptions. Facebook and Instagram both managed to retain their user bases despite adding ads, and with careful planning, Threads may follow the same trajectory.