X is testing a new ad format that connects posts with products | TechCrunch

Last day to exhibit your breakthrough to 10,000+ tech leaders at Disrupt is on Oct 2. Book Exhibit Table Now. Disrupt doors open Oct. 13. Get your pass and bring someone with you at 50% off. REGISTER NOW. X is testing a new ad format that inserts a recommendation directly underneath a post that references the company or its products. The initial test, spotted by an X user in Europe, displayed a suggestion to “Get Starlink” beneath a post from a user that said Starlink’s satellite service works great in Portugal. The link, when clicked, directed users to Starlink’s website. X head of product Nikita Bier confirmed the test, responding, “Trying to make an ad product that isn’t an ad.” The Starlink ad is not visible to all users at this time, but the placeholder where the ad sits is. If you visit X user @levelsio’s post from March 6 (screenshotted below in case of deletion), you’ll see an outlined box beneath the text of his post. This box currently showcases a random X post, unless you’re in the market where the ad test is live. In places where the ad displays, several commenters noticed the new addition, with one asking, “lmao, did you add this Starlink button?” In the thread, Bier a