Discord is making waves by introducing third-party ads to its mobile platform. Starting in June 2025, users can enjoy Video Quests, where watching an ad earns them rewards like avatar decorations and in-game items. This follows their rollout of similar ads on PC and consoles last year.
Peter Sellis, Discord’s product lead, explained that moving to mobile feels like a natural step for them. He said, “Our mission is to create the most authentic, player-centric advertising platform in the galaxy.” This move allows brands to connect with Discord’s active mobile audience, providing new ways for businesses to engage with users.
The new ads won’t interrupt your experience. Users will see a “Quest bar” at the bottom of their screens. If they’re interested, they can tap it to see the ads or dismiss it entirely. Users have the freedom to choose which ads to engage with.
Currently, users on other platforms can hide certain promotions or opt out of personalized ads. It’s not clear yet if mobile users will have these same options, but updates will likely follow.
Video Quests are part of a broader range of features that Discord introduced last year, which also includes Play Quests. These rewards motivate players to complete in-game tasks. Before embracing ads, Discord proudly maintained an ad-free environment, primarily making money through user subscriptions.
Interestingly, the introduction of mobile ads coincides with speculation that Discord may be gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO). In 2021, the company was valued at around $15 billion. There were even talks about a $10 billion buyout by Microsoft that didn’t go through.
The social media buzz around this change has been mixed. Some users appreciate the opportunity to earn rewards, while others are concerned about the shift from an ad-free experience. As gaming and social platforms evolve, how users react to these changes will shape future policies and advertising strategies.
For more details, you can read about Discord’s plans here.
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