It’s hard to believe that over 12 years have passed since Facebook’s acquisition of Instagram for $1 billion back in April 2012. Many were skeptical at the time, questioning the decision to invest in a photo filter app. Fast forward to today, and Instagram has become one of the top social media platforms, with a recent valuation of $45 billion, marking it as one of the most successful tech deals in history.

Shortly after the acquisition, Instagram sparked some controversy with a revised Terms of Service that hinted at selling user-posted photos. However, this turned out to be a misunderstanding, as co-founder Kevin Systrom clarified that they were exploring new advertising methods.

According to Android Authority, Instagram is currently testing a new feature called Ad Breaks. These ads briefly interrupt users’ browsing experience on the app and require them to view the ad for three to five seconds before continuing. Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is exploring ways to incorporate ads that feel less intrusive and more user-friendly.

In addition to Ad Breaks, Meta is considering other monetization strategies such as subscriptions and in-app purchases. When encountering an Ad Break on Instagram, users may see an explanation page beforehand, informing them about the new feature and its purpose.

The response from users who have encountered Ad Breaks has been mixed. Some have expressed frustration and dissatisfaction with this new feature, leading them to consider leaving the platform altogether. It remains uncertain whether Meta will fully implement Ad Breaks or make adjustments based on user feedback.

If you haven’t experienced Ad Breaks on your Instagram feed yet, you may not encounter them at all if Meta decides against rolling out this feature. However, if you do come across an Ad Break in the future, you’ll now have a better understanding of what it entails. Stay tuned for updates on how this potential monetization method will impact your Instagram experience!