Instagram Threads is getting video ads

Tech Crunch - May 8th, 2025

Instagram Threads will soon test video ads, Meta announced at the IAB NewFronts. This move marks an expansion of Threads' advertising initiatives, starting with a select group of advertisers testing 19:9 or 1:1 video ad formats in the Threads feed. This development aligns Threads more closely with competitors like X, as Meta seeks to leverage its growing user base of 350 million monthly active users. The decision comes amid a significant increase in user engagement, driven by improvements to Threads' recommendation systems.

The introduction of video ads on Threads is part of a broader strategy to enhance Meta's advertising offerings. The company is also testing Reels trending ads and expanding its advertising tools in the Creator Marketplace. This initiative follows similar moves by TikTok, which has expanded its Pulse Suite. These developments highlight the competitive landscape of social media advertising, as companies strive to offer more dynamic and targeted ad solutions. Meta's efforts reflect its commitment to innovation and staying ahead in the evolving digital advertising market.

Meta Tik Tok Mark Zuckerberg Instagram Threads Video Ads Social Media Advertising Iab New Fronts

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.6

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive overview of Meta's new advertising initiatives on Instagram Threads, with a strong emphasis on factual accuracy and timeliness. It accurately reports on Meta's announcements and industry trends, making it valuable to advertisers and industry stakeholders. However, it lacks balance by not exploring potential user impacts or broader societal implications. The source quality is high, though explicit attributions could enhance credibility. While clear and concise, the article could benefit from more context on the broader advertising landscape and potential controversies. Overall, it serves as a reliable update for those interested in digital marketing developments, but it could be more engaging and informative for a general audience by addressing a wider range of perspectives and impacts.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports on Meta's announcement regarding the introduction of video ads on Instagram Threads. The details about the ad formats (19:9 or 1:1 video creatives) and their placement between organic content are confirmed by multiple sources. The report on Threads reaching over 350 million monthly active users and the 35% increase in time spent due to improved recommendation systems aligns with Meta's public announcements. However, the story lacks specific details on ad pricing and frequency, which Meta has not disclosed. Overall, the factual claims are well-supported, though some areas remain unverifiable due to limited public information.

Balance

The story primarily focuses on Meta's initiatives without delving into the potential impacts on users or advertisers beyond the technical aspects of the ad rollout. While it mentions competitors like TikTok and X, it does not explore the broader implications of these changes in the social media advertising landscape. The article could benefit from including perspectives on user experience or privacy concerns related to increased advertising.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and presents information in a logical flow, making it easy to follow. The language is clear and concise, with technical terms explained sufficiently for a general audience. However, it could improve by providing more context on how these changes fit into the broader social media advertising trends, which would enhance reader comprehension.

Source quality

The article appears to rely on credible sources, including Meta's announcements and industry events like the IAB NewFronts. However, it does not explicitly cite these sources within the text, which could enhance the perceived reliability. The story's reliance on official announcements ensures a high level of credibility, but the lack of direct attribution to specific statements or figures is a minor shortcoming.

Transparency

The article provides a clear overview of the changes to Threads but lacks transparency in terms of sourcing and potential conflicts of interest. It does not disclose how the information was obtained, whether through press releases, interviews, or other means. Additionally, there's no discussion of how these changes might affect Meta's business model or user privacy, which could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the implications.