VSCO Begins Showing Ads to Free Users

VSCO / Ads

VSCO is now running ads. Free users will encounter ads across the platform, including in areas like Feed, Discover, and Profile on both mobile and web. However, VSCO Pro and Plus members will continue to enjoy an ad-free experience as long as they’re logged into their accounts.

Why It Matters: Under new CEO Eric Wittman, VSCO has made several strategic shifts, focusing on growing its subscription business. This includes the launch of new features and tools bundled under VSCO Plus, such as a creator-brand collaboration marketplace, Blogs, and, more recently, VSCO Sites.

For years, VSCO stood out by avoiding ads, offering an experience distinct from traditional social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. This shift will likely spark pushback from creators who’ve enjoyed VSCO’s ad-free environment, but it could also encourage free users to upgrade to a paid membership—which is likely what VSCO is counting on.