Make no mistake about it, whether you want it or not, Facebook Ads are coming and are well on their way. That process continues today with the first of many videos making their way into your mobile Newsfeed. For now, users will be “treated” to videos posted by their friends and groups such as bands that they already “like,” whether they are uploaded via Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB), YouTube, Instagram, or other similar programs.
Facebook Auto Play News Feed Videos
The videos won’t have audio as you scroll through the Newsfeed, playing with sound only if you tap them to go full-screen. And for now, it’s a mobile-only test for Android and iPhone users. For users of slower, non-LTE, connections the videos will certainly prove a nuisance at best as they steal bandwidth. For users with limited data plans, the videos—that will soon become advertisements—will ultimately end up costing them money.
A touch ironic, that Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) will be pocketing this new revenue stream while its free users will actually pay for this “service.”
However, for those who do have a steady and fast Internet connection, the ad playback is quite smooth, even slick. As you scroll through your Newsfeed, videos that are no longer visible cease streaming and streaming only picks up when a new video is discovered, where it picks up without audio once again.
This “sleekness” as an adjective will undoubtedly turn to “overbearing,” “distracting,” “menacing,” and others as this video feed soon becomes a stream of unwanted advertisements.
But, of course, Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) has it’s own take on the experience and hires wordsmiths who will make you feel as though the company is doing you a favor. The following is a blurb from its website…..
Today we’re starting to test an easier way to watch videos on Facebook. Now when you see a video in Newsfeed, it comes to life and starts playing. Videos initially play silently, and if you want you can tap to play with sound in full screen. Scroll past if you don’t want to watch.
At the end of the day, you’re not going to like your streaming ads. Facebook knows this and is figuring out the best way to sugar-coat this bitter pill that makes aspirin taste like Pez.
