Instagram working on 3 to 5 seconds of unskippable ‘Ad Breaks’

Instagram's reported plan to introduce 3 to 5 seconds of unskippable "Ad Breaks" represents a potential shift in its advertising strategy, aiming to capture users' attention more effectively and generate higher engagement with ads.

Meta seems to be currently rolling out the experimental change to a small group of users. Users feel that the social media platform is forcing them to watch this 3 to 5 seconds of unskippable ads before they can resume scrolling. Users are unhappy and as a result some are thinking about quitting the platform.

Unskippable ad formats have been utilized by various platforms to ensure that users view at least a portion of an advertisement before continuing with their content consumption. By implementing this format, Instagram may be seeking to increase the effectiveness of its advertising platform and provide advertisers with more opportunities to convey their message to users.

However, the success of such an initiative would likely depend on several factors, including user receptiveness to unskippable ads, the relevance and quality of the advertisements, and the overall user experience on the platform. Striking the right balance between monetization and user satisfaction will be crucial for Instagram to maintain its appeal and engagement levels.

As with any new feature, it will be interesting to see how users and advertisers respond to the introduction of unskippable Ad Breaks on Instagram and whether it leads to tangible benefits for both parties.