Abstract: The present application is directed to systems and methods for providing and displaying advertising messages within applications running on smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices while minimizing the disruptive effect of those advertising messages. The application may include an instant messaging or chat function. Within the application, advertising content may be presented in the portion of the screen dedicated to displaying the instant messaging or chat conversation, or in the portion of the screen dedicated to displaying a list of conversations, contacts or other content. The advertising content is set to be displayed for a certain amount of time and the display may indicate the amount of time remaining before the advertising content will disappear. The advertising content may include, for example, a limited-time offer that the user may accept while the advertising content is displayed.