Discord is venturing into the world of advertising to create new revenue streams on its platform. According to The Wall Street Journal, users will soon see ads from game studios and developers on Discord, some of which will offer users the chance to redeem gifts.
The introduction of ads will be facilitated through Discord’s ‘Sponsored Quest’ system, allowing users to complete in-game tasks while others watch. To support this initiative, Discord is expanding its workforce by hiring more than a dozen employees.
Engage and earn
In addition to sponsored ads, users will also receive targeted ads based on their age, gaming preferences, and location. These ads will be displayed in the bottom left corner of the screen. To earn rewards, users who are streaming must fulfill in-game objectives provided by the advertisers and have at least one friend watching.
While viewers have the opportunity to complete their own quests and earn rewards, Discord will give users the option to disable ads through the app settings.
After a significant reduction in workforce earlier this year, Discord CEO Jason Citron attributed the layoffs to taking on more projects and operating less efficiently. Since its inception in 2015, Discord has not incorporated ads and has relied primarily on its Nitro subscription service. This subscription offers additional benefits such as extended upload bandwidth, custom emojis, and server boosts, starting at $2.99/month with a premium subscription priced at $9.99/month, offering more perks.
