Snapchat to Roll Out First Ads This Weekend

Like it or not - ads are invading Snapchat this weekend.

The self-destructing messaging app maker earlier this month confirmed plans to start rolling out ads, and now it's actually happening. Snapchat on Friday announced that the first ad will arrive this weekend in the 'Recent Updates' section for those in the U.S.

'It's the first time we've done anything like this because it's the first time we've been paid to put content in that space,' Snapchat wrote in a blog post. 'It's going to feel a little weird at first, but we're taking the plunge.'

In the post, Snapchat explained that its ads will not be 'creepy' and targeted towards users interests.

'The product we're releasing today is a lot simpler,' the company said. 'An advertisement will appear in your Recent Updates from time to time, and you can choose if you want to watch it. No biggie.' Just like Stories, ads will disappear after you view it, or within 24hours.

Snapchat promised to keep your personal communications - including Snaps and Chats - free of ads. As for why, exactly, the company is embracing ads, the answer is simple: 'we need to make money,' Snapchat said.

'Advertising allows us to support our service while delivering neat content to Snapchatters,' they explained. 'We promise that we'll use the money we make to continue to surprise the Snapchat community with more terrific products - that's what we love to do!'

News of Snapchat ads comes after some 200,000 Snapchat photos were said to have leaked online thanks to a breach of third-party site Snapsaved.com. Following news of the breach last week, Snapchat was quick to respond, noting that its servers were never compromised and that users were instead victimized by their use of third-party apps.