Wednesday 21 January 2015

Taking a cue from Facebook, WeChat testing ads in timeline

WeChat app


WeChat is testing out adverts, according to numerous screenshots floating around the web today. The adverts are in the WeChat Moments section of the app, which is a bit like the Facebook timeline.


The first ever ad inside WeChat Moments seems to be a test by Tencent itself. It shows a Moments post by WeChat’s own official account showing up labelled as a “promoted” post in random people’s timelines. This was first spotted by the iGeek blog and then verified by numerous people posting their own screenshots on Weibo. The ad looks like this:


WeChat Moments ads

Screenshot from Weibo user 江南小鲜肉.



This does not affect WeChat’s messaging area.


This could be the start of a Facebook-esque social ad strategy for WeChat, which allows brands to pay to promote their own posts and get new followers. As with many new WeChat features, this is initially targeted at users based in China.


Tencent, the maker of WeChat, wasn’t immediately available for comment. (Update: A Tencent representative confirms the ads are real, saying: “The product is at a testing stage. We will provide further information when it’s available.”)


See: Check out this smart hotel room controlled entirely by WeChat


This post Taking a cue from Facebook, WeChat testing ads in timeline appeared first on Tech in Asia.







Taking a cue from Facebook, WeChat testing ads in timeline

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