Meta to Monetize AI Chat Conversations by Using Them for Ads

New York — Meta is about to make a major change in how it targets ads. Starting December 16, the company will begin using what people say to its AI chatbot to show them more personalized ads across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.

Users will start seeing notifications about this change next week. Meta says the goal is to make ads and content “more relevant” to each person’s interests, but the move is also raising questions about privacy and data use.

How It Works

Meta already collects tons of data to decide which ads people see, including what they post, click on, and watch, and who they follow. This helps the company predict what users might want to buy or explore.

But now, conversations with Meta AI, the company’s chatbot, will become another data source. When users talk with Meta AI, maybe about a new hiking trip, a skincare issue, or a gift idea—that information can be used to show them ads related to those topics.

For example:

If you chat with Meta AI about hiking trails, you might start seeing ads for hiking boots.
If you ask for help planning a vacation, expect travel ads soon after.
If you mention pet care, you may see ads for pet products on your feed.

Meta says this will make the user experience feel “smarter and more personal.”

What Meta Says

Meta explained the change in a blog post on Wednesday, saying:

“Just like other personalized services, we tailor the ads and content you see based on your activity. Many people expect their interactions to make what they see more relevant. Soon, interactions with AIs will be another signal we use.”

The company added that as people’s interests change, Meta’s systems will automatically adapt.

AI Conversations Will Shape Your Feed

It’s not just about ads. The data from Meta AI chats will also help decide what kind of content shows up in your feed.

If someone talks about hiking, Meta may show them more hiking posts, Reels, or AI-generated videos on its “Vibes” feed, a new feature that replaced the older “Discover” feed last week.

But this also means Meta must be careful. AI chatbots are often used for personal or emotional conversations, such as discussing relationships or mental health. Meta says it will take steps to avoid using sensitive topics in ways that might feel invasive or harmful.

What Meta Promises Not to Do

Meta says it will not use AI chat data to target ads based on sensitive subjects, such as

Religion
Sexual orientation
Political opinions
Health conditions
Racial or ethnic identity
Philosophical beliefs
Trade union membership

These categories are protected under Meta’s existing ad policy. However, the company will still allow ads about those topics; they just won’t be personalized based on private conversations.

Privacy Concerns and Past Mistakes

Meta’s AI tools have already faced privacy challenges. Earlier this year, some users accidentally shared personal chats publicly on Meta’s “Discover” feed.

These posts included sensitive details about finances or relationships and conversations users thought were private. Meta later added a warning pop-up before users shared any AI chat publicly.

Now, as AI becomes more deeply tied to advertising, privacy experts are warning that chat-based data collection could become a slippery slope.

Meta’s Growing AI Ecosystem

Meta AI is now available on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and through its standalone app. The company says it has over 1 billion monthly users interacting with the chatbot in some form, though it’s unclear how often people actually chat with it.

This new ad-targeting system comes as Meta doubles down on AI. It’s part of CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s plan to make Meta’s platforms smarter and more connected, powered by artificial intelligence.

Big Money Behind Meta’s Ad Business

Meta’s advertising empire is massive. In the last quarter alone, the company earned $46.5 billion from ads, a 21% increase compared to last year.

Meta’s market value has climbed to $1.8 trillion as of October, with stock prices up nearly 20% since the start of the year.

By tapping into AI chat data, Meta is likely hoping to keep its ad business growing and to compete with new AI shopping tools emerging across Silicon Valley.

Competition Heats Up

Meta isn’t the only tech giant mixing AI with commerce.

Earlier this week, OpenAI introduced a feature that lets users shop directly through ChatGPT, allowing purchases from partner brands inside chat conversations.

While ChatGPT doesn’t use ads, this trend shows how major companies are turning AI chatbots into shopping assistants and search alternatives.

Some experts believe users may soon prefer to shop through chatbots rather than scrolling through traditional ads or search results.

User Control Still Exists

Meta says users will still be able to manage their ad preferences.

Through Meta’s Ad Preferences tool, people can add or remove topics for targeted ads. They can also adjust settings that control what content appears on their Facebook and Instagram feeds.

This gives users some control, but critics argue that most people don’t realize how much their data still influences what they see.

What It Means for You

This change marks another big step toward AI-driven personalization in social media.

Your chats with Meta AI could soon shape what products, videos, and content appear in your feeds. While that might make your experience feel more relevant, it also means your words could become ad signals even in casual or friendly AI conversations.

So, starting in December, it might be wise to think twice before telling Meta AI too much about your next shopping list or travel plan.

FAQs

1. When will Meta start using AI chat data for ads?

Meta will begin collecting and using AI chat data for ad targeting on December 16, with notifications rolling out to users a week before.

2. Which apps will this affect?

This update will apply across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and the Meta AI app.

3. Will Meta use private topics from my chats?

No. Meta says it will not use sensitive data like religion, politics, health, or sexual orientation to personalize ads.

4. Can I stop Meta from using my AI chat data?

Yes. You can manage or limit ad personalization in your Ad Preferences settings on Facebook and Instagram.

5. Why is Meta doing this?

Meta wants to make ads more relevant and keep up with competition from other AI platforms. It’s also a way to grow its $46.5 billion ad business by learning directly from user conversations.