Get ready for an increase in advertisements as Discord is set to introduce sponsored ads to its software.
As per a report from The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) (subscription needed), the chat app plans to incorporate them in order to boost its revenue.
The company intends to hire “more than a dozen people for ad-sales positions” to support their advertising efforts, according to the report. According to the WSJ, this initiative follows the company’s impressive annualized revenue growth to $600 million. The amount has increased fourfold compared to its earnings in 2020.
The new ads will be tailored to users’ geographic location, age, and gameplay preferences. As you use the app, the notifications will be displayed in the bottom left corner of your screen.
According to reports, Discord is said to be introducing a feature that will give users the ability to disable advertisements through their settings.
Historically, Discord’s CEO Jason Citron has expressed his opposition to incorporating sponsored ads on the platform. During a previous interview with NPR, he emphasized the importance of ensuring users feel “comfortable and safe” while utilizing the service.
Back in 2021, he expressed the belief that individuals should have full control over their data and feel secure during conversations, without any concerns about improper use of their data. We prioritize the protection of your privacy. We respect the privacy of individuals’ messages and do not conduct any scanning. We don’t read them.
Discord has not made any public announcements regarding the inclusion of these new types of ads. Reporter has contacted the company to request a comment regarding the report. We will keep you informed and update this story if we receive a response.
In January, Discord made the difficult decision to reduce its workforce by 17%, resulting in the departure of 170 individuals.
