Weekly Prompt: Discord mobile is getting ads and other news
Discord has announced that it will be launching ads on its mobile platform starting in June 2025. This move marks an expansion of Discord's advertising business beyond desktop and console platforms. One of the key features of this new ad system will be "Video Quests," which will allow users to earn rewards such as avatar decorations and in-game items by watching video ads.
The ads will be displayed in a "Quest bar" at the bottom of the screen on the mobile app. Users will have the option to dismiss or interact with these ads. If a user chooses to interact, the ad will open in a dedicated Quest tab and play in full-screen mode. Discord has confirmed that mobile users will have the same level of control as desktop users, allowing them to hide specific in-app promotions or opt out of personalized advertising.
Quests on PC and Consoles
In 2024, Discord introduced Quests on PC and consoles, featuring both Video Quests and Play Quests. Play Quests reward users for completing in-game challenges while Video Quests are used by advertisers to promote various gaming franchises such as Diablo, Street Fighter, World of Warcraft, and Genshin Impact. Brands like streaming service Max have also utilized this format to showcase film and television trailers.
Revenue and Expansion
Discord, with over 200 million active users, has traditionally relied on subscriptions for revenue. However, the introduction of mobile ads signals a shift in their business model. In the previous year, the company generated $31 million in mobile revenue, with a significant portion coming from the United States. This move comes amidst speculations that Discord is gearing up for a public listing, with its latest valuation standing at approximately $15 billion.
Sources: Engadget, MediaPost, The Verge
WhatsApp Tests Spotify Music Sharing
WhatsApp is currently testing a new feature that allows users to share Spotify music in their Status updates. This update will generate a preview showcasing the song or album's cover art, along with details of the track and artist. Viewers of the Status update will have the option to directly access the song on Spotify with a "Play on Spotify" button. This feature, reminiscent of Instagram's music sharing, is still in the testing phase and has not been officially announced by WhatsApp yet.
For more information, you can visit Social Media Today
Meta AI Rolls Out in Europe
Meta is launching its AI chatbot in Europe after a halt due to regulatory issues. The Meta AI chatbot will now be available on WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger across 41 European countries and 21 overseas territories. This version will be text-based, allowing users to engage in various activities like brainstorming, trip planning, and asking questions using web-sourced information. Unlike the US version, the European model does not support image generation or editing and is not trained on EU user data. Meta plans to collaborate with regulators to expand the features gradually.
You can read more on this at The Verge
Snapchat Expands AR Spectacles Features
Snapchat has introduced new features for its AR Spectacles, including GPS-powered overlays, multiplayer AR experiences, and enhanced developer tools. These updates bring location-based effects, real-time directional overlays, and interactive AR games like Peridot Beyond. Snapchat is also launching Spectacles Community Challenges, offering monthly prizes for developers creating or updating AR Lenses. Although the latest Spectacles are limited to approved developers, Snapchat continues to grow its AR ecosystem without any plans announced for public availability.
