Facebook begins testing ads in virtual reality headsets

CNI Desk: Facebook has begun displaying ads in its Oculus virtual reality headsets, despite the founder of the platform saying it would never do so.

In what the social network described as an experiment, ads will begin to appear in a game called Balston with other developers rolling out similar ads.

 

It said it would listen to feedback before launching virtual reality ads more widely.

It also revealed it is testing new ad formats "that are unique to VR".

In 2017, shortly after Facebook bought Oculus, creator Palmer Luckey told the Next Web: "We are not going to track you, flash ads at you, or do anything invasive."

Users will be able to hide specific ads or those from a certain advertiser and Facebook promised that its privacy policy would remain the same.

It encourages customers to share their feedback via the Oculus support page.

Barrier to adoption?

 

Last month the firm began testing ads in the Oculus mobile app.

Oculus Quest 2 headsets start at £299, and in the US are also offered for $299, and that price means it is being sold at "incredibly low or even loss-leading margins," said Mr Gebbie.

This could mean Facebook becomes the dominant player, as others are unable to compete.