Introduction

Discord is set to introduce third-party advertisements to its mobile platform, marking a significant shift for the popular voice and chat app known primarily among gamers. Starting in June 2025, a mobile pilot for a new ad initiative called Video Quests will roll out. This follows the concept already tested on PC and console platforms, allowing users to earn rewards like avatar decorations and in-game items simply by watching advertisements.

Excitement from Discord's Leadership

Peter Sellis, Discord’s product leader, expressed excitement about this development, stating, “Expanding our advertising platform to mobile is an obvious, natural evolution in our strategy. Our aim is to create the most authentic, player-centric advertising platform in the galaxy. This expansion will provide brand partners access to Discord’s highly engaged, cross-platform mobile audience and create new opportunities for businesses to connect with our community in meaningful, and performant, ways.”

User Control Over Ads

The mobile ads will be designed to be minimally invasive. A “Quest bar” will appear at the bottom of the screen, and users can either dismiss it or tap to access a dedicated Quest tab. Full-screen video ads will only play if users opt to accept the Quest, giving them control over their ad experience.

Monetization Strategy

Moreover, Discord has been known for its ad-free environment, primarily generating revenue from subscription services. However, with the introduction of Quests—including the new Video Quests alongside Play Quests, which reward players for completing in-game tasks—the platform is starting to monetize through ads. Users will continue to have the option to hide certain promotions or opt out of personalized ads entirely, ensuring a degree of customization in their experience.

Market Speculation

This announcement comes amid speculation that Discord may be preparing for an initial public offering (IPO). In 2021, the platform was valued at approximately $15 billion by private investors and briefly discussed a potential $10 billion acquisition deal with Microsoft, which ultimately fell through.

Conclusion

As Discord expands its ad offerings to mobile, it will be interesting to see how users respond and whether the platform can maintain its reputation as a community-friendly space. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to follow this evolving story!