How to stop Facebook from sending you these new ads

If you use Facebook, you’ll want to know about a new way that advertisers may be able to contact you through the popular Messenger app.

Facebook Messenger to show ads

Read more: 7 little-known Facebook hacks you’ve probably never tried

Facebook has announced that it’s allowing businesses to target users through ‘sponsored messages,’ but only if they’ve already started a conversation with that particular service provider.

Here’s how Facebook described these sponsored messages in a blog post:

Launched as a test in April 2016, a sponsored message is a highly targeted, in-context ad type that allows businesses to re-engage people who have an open, existing conversation with their business. Sponsored messages give businesses the ability to send targeted updates, information about promotions, reminders and other relevant messages.

Earlier this year, Facebook rolled out bots to let companies chat with users through the app.

What exactly is a bot?

A bot is an application that performs an automated task – like ordering a pizza – and many are programmed to act like humans. So it may seem like you’re chatting with a person, but it’s really just a computer program. 

In the video below, see how you can start a chat with 1-800-FLOWERS and place an order through Messenger.

How to avoid seeing the new ads

Remember, Facebook said the new advertisements will be used to “re-engage people who have an open, existing conversation with their business.”

So if you don’t want to see the ads, don’t start a conversation with a bot through Messenger.

Read more: 10 tips, tricks and secrets to know about Facebook Messenger