Instagram Testing Unskippable Ad Break Feature Like YouTube

Instagram is testing ‘Ad Break’ which will force users to watch advertisements and it can’t be skipped. Several Instagram users reported on this experiment where a user has to watch three-to-five-second non-skippable ads while scrolling the feed.

The new functionality is being tested on a few users on a pilot basis. However, Meta has not released any official statement regarding the experimental feature. A Reddit user spotted the feature and shared the screenshot on the social media platform.

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Instagram’s Ad Break Gets Criticized By Users

People who came across this experimental ‘Ad Break’ functionality with a countdown timer. When the user clicks on the ‘i’ button it shows, "You're seeing an ad break. Ad breaks are a new way of seeing ads on Instagram. Sometimes you may need to view an ad before you can keep browsing."

Users on X have taken to their feeds to criticize Instagram's 'Ad Break' with several users saying they will delete their Instagram account if the company comes into effect. 

Instagram already shows ads while scrolling the feed or Reels. YouTube already has the unskippable ad functionality where the ad will appear before the video starts as well as between the video and the ads range from 5 to 30 seconds.

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Instagram Testing Another Exciting Feature

Instagram seems to be gearing up to launch several new features to enhance the user experience and engagement. One of the features that the company is working on is ‘Flipside,’ an experimental feature designed to offer users a more private space within their primary Instagram account.

Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, confirmed on Threads, that the platform is testing Flipside. This feature would allow users to turn their secondary, more private profiles, dubbed ‘fiestas,’ into a feature within their primary account. Users will be able to create a custom profile with a unique name, bio, and photo, enabling them to share exclusive content with a smaller group of people.

Meta confirmed (via TechCrunch) that Flipside is currently in the testing phase. The company wants to cater to users’ desire for more options to share content in private spaces. This move showcases Instagram’s ongoing efforts to offer users with enhanced privacy controls and customization options.

Instagram is also said to be offering users access to early versions of upcoming features through an “early access to features” option in the app settings. This new option, as shown in screenshots shared by developer Alessandro Paluzzi, would enable users to experiment with in-development features before their official release.