Facebook testing pre-roll video ads on 'Watch' platform: Report

IANS  |  San Francisco 

Just like YouTube, is also reportedly planning to test pre-roll video advertisements before the shows on "Watch" - its redesigned video platform for creators and publishers.

According to a report in AdAge on Saturday, the social media giant "plans to test pre-roll video ads at the start of 'Watch' shows, according to advertisers who are familiar with the social network's strategy".

is yet to comment on the development.

CEO Mark Zuckerberg, however, has long kept pre-roll ads off of

"We don't need to do pre-roll because our model is not one where you come to to watch one piece of content, you come to look at a feed," Zuckerberg said on a conference call with investors this year.

In August, introduced "Watch" with mid-roll ads, which run in the middle of the shows. The mid-rolls have delivered some positive results.

has said mid-roll ads see a 70 per cent completion rate.

In an apparent bid to take on Google-owned YouTube, rolled out "Watch".

"Watch" will be available on mobile, desktop, laptop and in TV apps.

Shows are made up of episodes -- live or recorded -- and follow a theme or storyline.

The shows available include "Nas Daily", "Gabby Bernstein" and "Kitchen Little".

has also started to roll out funded shows on "Watch".

The social media giant last year launched "Video" tab in the US which offered a predictable place to find videos on

--IANS

na/ksk

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sat, December 02 2017. 10:20 IST