Zoom is adding ads to some meetings, here's who will be affected

What you need to know

• Zoom is testing a program that will show ads at the end of meetings for free users.
• Initially, the ads will show up on the browser page that appears after a meeting concludes.
• Zoom emphasizes that it will not use meeting data for third-party advertising purposes.

Zoom meetings for free users could soon feature ads when they conclude. In a blog post, Zoom announced that it's piloting a program that will show banner ads on the webpage that appears after a meeting. Ads will only appear for free Basic users in certain countries at this time, though Zoom did not specify which countries.

Based on the wording in Zoom's blog post, there's potential for an expansion of ads into other areas. "For this initial program, ads will be rolled out only on the browser page users see once they end their meeting," explains the company. The post shows an example of a browser page with an ad.

Zoom's marketing officer Janine Pelosi explains that the move will help Zoom to continue to deliver a free experience:

Zoom emphasized in its blog post that it "will not use meeting, webinar, or messaging content (specifically, audio, video, files, and messages) for any marketing, promotions, or third-party advertising purposes."