Instagram was able to get Zuckerberg to plop down a cool $740 million for a photo service that didn't actually make money. Fortunately for the Facebook bean counters, money-making Instagram ads are coming. And fortunately for filter-obsessed photographers, we know what they look like.
After a terms of service misstep that seemed to give advertisers permission to use your photos for ads brought on the on the ire of internet, the photo-sharing service is back with a more transparent business plan. Part of that transparency is showing everyone how ads will look in its streams.
Today the company posted an image of what an ad posting will look like. Other than the 'Sponsored' signifier in the top right-hand corner where the time stamp usually resides, the post looks like any other posting you'd see in the app. In its blog post, Instagram says the test ad will appear in the coming weeks on a smartphone near you.
According to an Instagram posting from October 3, photo and video ads from curated brands will begin appearing in the next couple months. Maybe the 'couple months' timeline isn't as transparent as many would like, buy sharing how ads will visually populate your timeline is a good start.
In today's posting, Instagram reiterated that you shouldn't be worried about your photo showing up in an ad: 'As always, you own your own photos and videos. The introduction of advertising won't change this.' In fact, the first item on its advertising FAQ states that the company has no plans to use your photos for advertising.
So go ahead and take photos and videos of your friends awkwardly dancing, knowing full well they won't be used by Budweiser as a reminder to drink responsibly.
Roberto is a Wired Staff Writer for Gadget Lab covering cord-cutting, e-readers, home technology, and all the gadgets that fit in your backpack. Got a tip? Send him an email at: roberto_baldwin [at] wired.com.
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