to remove Facebook and Instagram ads for European subscribers //

Meta is said to be considering paid versions of Facebook or Instagram, which would prohibit ads in Europe.

The company has yet to confirm the cost and date of possible rollout.

According to New York Times, Meta will continue offering free versions of their apps that will still display ads.

Why do we care? This could have a significant impact on brand awareness and campaign performance depending on the user adoption. Currently, an ad free subscription service is being considered for Europe. However, this may be extended to the US at a later date. Advertisers will need to closely monitor this development, as they may have to reallocate their advertising budget to other platforms.

Why now Meta has been proposed as a response to the European Union Digital Services Act which comes into force on 1 January 2024.

Google and Meta are two large platforms with more than 45 millions regional users that will be more heavily regulated under the new regulations.

• Create a safe digital space.
• Create a level playing ground for all businesses.

What did Meta say? Meta has not made any comments on the launch of paid versions of Facebook or Instagram. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg hinted at the possibility of a paid-for version in 2018, when he spoke before the US Senate. He was asked if he’d consider charging for users to access his apps in order to avoid advertisements.

• “There will always be an version of Facebook which is free..”

Sheryl Sandberg, Meta’s COO, then added:

• We have different types of opt-out. There is no opt-out on the highest level. This would be a product .”

Deep dive. For more information, read Nick Clegg’s statement about the DSA.

The original post Meta to remove Facebook and Instagram ads for European subscribers was published first on Search Engine Land.