Tell HN: Facebook Messenger is testing in-call video ads • Hacker News Board

Re: Tell HN: Facebook Messenger is testing in-call video ads

#81

Post by lern_too_spel » Thu, Nov 17, 2022, 5:58 AM UTC

ceejayoz wrote: post #36

tapoxi wrote: post #32

Look I get that people love to shit on Signal because its not perfect, but this is the main reason I use it to call and message my family. It's a viable alternative to insane shit like Messenger and you should consider having your family members install it. It's incredibly easy to use. Cue someone below me talking about how they set up a Matrix or XMPP server for grandma and its 'so easy' once you get the presence ha…

Is there a reason Signal couldn't put ads in their video call product?

Because you can just take it out: https://github.com/signalapp/Signal-Android

Re: Tell HN: Facebook Messenger is testing in-call video ads

#82

Post by vondro » Thu, Nov 17, 2022, 8:53 AM UTC

Yes, I think that is actually great idea and should be rolled out to everybody!

I hate using messenger but some people I communicate with still prefer it. If this is rolled out, they will surely move to other platforms.

Re: Tell HN: Facebook Messenger is testing in-call video ads

#83

Post by fsflover » Thu, Nov 17, 2022, 11:43 AM UTC

woofwoofwoof wrote: post #42

ceejayoz wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Is there a reason Signal couldn't put ads in their video call product?

I believe it is non-profit currently, so making money is not their top priority.

Doesn't Signal have $50 million in debt? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_(software)#Developers_a...

Re: Tell HN: Facebook Messenger is testing in-call video ads

#84

Post by xony » Thu, Nov 17, 2022, 1:14 PM UTC

No post body was provided.

Re: Tell HN: Facebook Messenger is testing in-call video ads

#85

Post by barbs » Thu, Nov 17, 2022, 7:32 PM UTC

srveale wrote: post #21

We use fb for the family calls. This will add years to the project of being able to get grandma on a call without difficulty and I'm not sure she has that kind of time. I'm only half joking.

Might I suggest Jitsi? We've used it with success with our older relatives.

https://meet.jit.si/

Re: Tell HN: Facebook Messenger is testing in-call video ads

#86

Post by barbs » Thu, Nov 17, 2022, 7:34 PM UTC

ajsnigrutin wrote: post #74

monsieurgaufre wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I used Duo as an example. I fail to see a real difference between a FB account and an iphone. Both serve as a way to connect to a network. Not everyone I know has a FB account, but most of those without a FB account have a cellphone. And frankly, around here (I live near Montreal), the majority have an iphone (and they already have Facetime). I go where (my) people are and they are increasingly not on FB (and IG as w…

Outside of northern america, androids vastly outnumber iphones, especially with nonrich and non-tech-savy (and very-tech-savy) people. I live in the balkans... if people call someone, they call someone using a phone. If they use any of the internet-call services (from facebook video, to skype, viber calls, whatsapp, duo, etc...), they do it because they either want video with their calls or because the normal calls a…

Jitsi is a good option IME. No signup required, just click a link.

https://meet.jit.si/

Re: Tell HN: Facebook Messenger is testing in-call video ads

#87

Post by samspenc » Fri, Nov 18, 2022, 7:03 PM UTC

3D30497420 wrote: post #34

kevinsundar wrote: post #10

Assuming this is true, who comes up with ideas like this? If I was an advertiser do I really want to pay to have my ad (video nonetheless) shown to someone while they're actively trying to have a phone call? As a user, I'd just be pissed off at the advertiser plus im not looking at my screen when talking. I guess technically this increases ad "views" metrics. But advertisers are just wasting their money. I hope the f…

A PM who's been given a metric goal and has their performance staked on hitting goal with nothing to counter-balance their push to hit that goal. I recall a presentation someone gave awhile back which said something like, "Give a PM a goal that their job depends on and they will burn the company down to hit it." I was a PM at a FAANG in a former life, so I can understand the pressure. Thankfully, I never did anything…

Sounds about right. From what I've heard, Meta is laser-focused on metrics compared to other tech companies and FAANGs, and entire promotion cycles are based around how much you "moved the needle" so to speak along some metrics. This "increase revenue through in-call ads" seems like low-hanging fruit for any PM or engineer who wanted to get promoted quickly.