Facebook is testing a new advertising service that expands companies reach without members’ consent.

Following the changes, some advertisers can place ads in users’ news feeds that appear on both desktop and mobile sites, even if they or their friends haven’t liked the brand.

Until now, brands could only place adverts on the right hand side of members’ screen display or via the mobile ad Sponsored Stories feature.

Facebook spokeswoman Annie Ta told Mashable: “Starting soon, we are beginning a very small test that will allow marketers to promote page posts to people beyond their fans in the news feed. These ads may appear on both desktop and mobile.”

Ta added that the social network believes the promoted posts will help businesses to reach more people.

The news follow’s last week’s introduction of mobile ad units and the launch of its Sponsored Stories mobile ad strategy in June.