Snap Introduces New Ads

Snapchat is bringing ads to the app’s main Chat tab, the company announced. Up until now, Snapchat has kept the Chat tab free from ads, but users will now start to see “Sponsored Snaps” from advertisers alongside messages from their friends. Users won’t be notified about Sponsored Snaps and will be able to tell them apart from regular messages. If a person decides to leave a Sponsored Snap unopened, it will eventually be removed from their inbox. If a user decides to open a Sponsored Snap, they can reply to the ad or click on a link to learn more. Snapchat’s launch partner for Sponsored Snaps is Disney. The app is also launching “Promoted Places” on Snap Map as a way for users to discover new places. Although local businesses have already been able to advertise on Snap Map, Promoted Places appears to be a way for national brands to advertise and showcase all of their locations on Snap Map. Snapchat’s launch partners for this new ad placement include McDonald’s and Taco Bell.