Instant messaging platform Userplane has created a way to monetize people's online chats through advertising, reports TechCrunch.

The Userplane Money program gives users the ability to insert ads from the Userplane network into instant messaging and community chat sessions. Ad revenue is then shared with the user. The idea is to increase use of the service by smaller, niche communities by rewarding adoption.

Userplane is part of AOL, which acquired the company last August.