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WhatsApp Ads Coming to the Updates Tab
WhatsApp has confirmed that it will soon start displaying ads in the Status section of its platform. The ads will only appear in the Updates tab which also hosts Channels and Status and will not affect personal messages or group chats.
In a statement released on Monday, June 16, the company announced a new wave of monetization tools that also include paid channel subscriptions and promoted content for admins.
“We’ve worked over the last two years to make this tab the place for you to discover something new on WhatsApp and it’s now used by 1.5 billion people a day,” WhatsApp said.
What’s New: Paid Channels and Promoted Content
Users will be able to subscribe to their favorite channels for a monthly fee to access exclusive updates. In addition, channel admins can now promote their content to increase reach and visibility.
Ads in Status Updates
Businesses will be able to advertise in WhatsApp Status, allowing them to showcase products or services directly to targeted audiences. WhatsApp clarified that these ads will remain separate from personal messaging.
“These new features will appear only on the Updates tab, away from your personal chats,” the statement emphasized. “There is no change to your experience if you use WhatsApp solely for chatting.”
Privacy Measures Still in Place
To address privacy concerns, WhatsApp reiterated that messages, calls, and group chats remain end-to-end encrypted. The platform assured users it would not use personal messages or group data to determine ad preferences.
Targeted advertising will rely on limited data such as:
- Location
- Language preferences
- Channels followed
- Ad interaction behavior
Users who’ve linked their WhatsApp to their Meta Accounts Center may see ads based on preferences from Facebook and Instagram. However, WhatsApp stated: “We will never sell or share your phone number with advertisers.”
This move marks the beginning of WhatsApp’s official monetization strategy, long anticipated by analysts since its acquisition by Meta. The platform aims to provide tools for organizations and creators without disrupting the user experience of private messaging.
“We believe the Updates tab is the right place for these features to live,” WhatsApp concluded.
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