Samsung Refrigerator Ads Begin Rolling Out to Family Hub Screens Next Week

Samsung will start showing ads on its high-end Family Hub refrigerators next week. The advertisements will appear on the large touchscreen displays of 2024 models. This move confirms reports from last month about the new advertising strategy.

The company announced the change as part of a new software update. This update also brings AI food recognition and personalized Bixby features. According to The Verge, these ads will be limited to Samsung’s own products for now.

Where You Will See the New Refrigerator Ads

Ads will appear in two specific locations on the refrigerator screen. The first is a rotating widget on Cover Screen themes. This widget cycles between calendar, news, weather, and ad content every ten seconds.

The second location is the new Daily Board screen. This feature has six informational tiles. One of these tiles is dedicated to displaying advertisements.

Samsung confirms ads will only show on Color Theme and Weather screens. They will not appear on personal photo albums or art displays. The company emphasizes these are “unobtrusive” advertisements.

How to Disable Advertising on Your Appliance

Users can disable these advertisements through their refrigerator’s settings. The process involves navigating to the Settings app and finding the Advertisements tab. Turning off the toggle will stop all ads from appearing.

This action also disables the entire widget system. Users lose access to calendar, news, and weather information on the Cover Screen. Alternatively, users can tap the X on individual ads to hide them temporarily.

Samsung states these ads are contextual and non-personalized. The company claims the refrigerators do not collect personal information for advertising. This differs from some other smart device advertising practices.

The advertising will not expand to other Samsung appliances. Ovens, washers, and dryers with smaller screens will remain ad-free. This policy applies to devices with 7-inch and 9-inch displays.

The introduction of Samsung refrigerator ads marks a significant shift for premium smart appliances. Consumers now face advertising on devices they already own. How companies balance revenue and user experience will determine customer satisfaction moving forward.

Info at your fingertips

Can I completely turn off ads on my Samsung refrigerator?

Yes, you can disable ads in the Settings menu. Navigate to the Advertisements tab and toggle the setting off. This action will also disable the entire widget system.

Will these ads show my personal photos or recipes?

No, ads will only appear on specific screens. They are limited to the Cover Screen widget and Daily Board tile. Your personal content areas remain ad-free.

Are other Samsung appliances getting ads too?

No, Samsung confirmed ads won’t appear on other smart appliances. This includes ovens, washers, and dryers with smaller displays. The policy currently applies only to Family Hub refrigerators.

Does Samsung track my activity for these ads?

The company states these are contextual, non-personalized ads. They claim the refrigerators don’t collect personal information. The ads are based on general factors rather than individual usage.

What types of products will be advertised?

Initially, only Samsung’s own products will appear. This includes water filters and appliance care accessories. Third-party advertising may come later based on user feedback.

Trusted Sources

Samsung, The Verge