Hold on to your hats. Facebook is now testing Messenger ads for select users in Australia and Thailand.

Get the message?

Messenger ads appear as cards – images accompanied with text and a hyperlink.

The link in the ads can be configured for multiple actions, similar to the way Facebook Pages for businesses operate. 

For example, clicking the link might direct users to sign up for a service, or learn more about a brand.

The ads occupy the real estate between the Favourites and Active Now sections.

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But don't expect a flurry of ads to interrupt your online chats. Facebook says ads won't appear during conversations unless users click on an ad, or initiate a chat with a brand.

At present Messenger has over 1 billion monthly users, who send over 1 billion messages to brands every month. Typically this is via a direct message.

How these users respond to ads popping up remains to be seen.