WhatsApp is making a major change by introducing ads on its platform, which has mostly remained clear of ads since it first launched. Meta announced on Monday that WhatsApp will begin displaying advertisements from businesses within its status feature, similar to Stories. This marks a new step in integrating ads into the messaging platform.
This shows WhatsApp’s strongest move so far to make money from its large user base of over two billion monthly active users. Unlike Meta’s other platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, WhatsApp has mostly avoided ads since Meta bought it in 2014.
Personal Chats Will Stay Private
WhatsApp has confirmed that personal messages will not be affected by this update. Ads will only appear in the Updates tab, and if users don’t use Status or Channels, they won’t notice any changes. Plus, the Updates tab can be turned off in settings for those who prefer an ad-free experience.
Nikila Srinivasan, Meta’s VP of Product Management, assured users that privacy remains a top priority. “Your private messages, calls, and status updates are protected with end-to-end encryption. Even if we can’t access them, and they won’t be used for ads,” she explained.
She also made it clear that WhatsApp won’t sell or share phone numbers with advertisers. Ads will be shown based on general information like your location, device language, and activity in the Updates tab, not on private conversations.
Although WhatsApp has previously tested limited ads in Status and through WhatsApp Business, this is the first time ads will be fully integrated into the app’s interface. Many industry experts have expected Meta to start earning more from WhatsApp, given its massive global usage. Meta is introducing more updates to WhatsApp beyond just ads. When users tap the Explore button to discover new channels, they’ll now see promoted ones highlighted. Also, WhatsApp is adding a subscription feature that lets users follow channels for access to exclusive updates.
