WhatsApp Welcomes Ads: Meta-Owned App to Introduce Status-Based Advertising
WhatsApp, the popular messaging platform owned by Meta, is set to launch advertisements for the first time, according to TechCrunch. The company announced that users will begin seeing ads exclusively on the app’s Status screen, a feature that mirrors Instagram’s Stories.
Similar to Instagram, users will occasionally encounter ads after viewing a few Status updates. WhatsApp stated that the frequency and nature of the ads will depend on various factors including the user’s country, language, followed channels, and prior ad engagement.
Meta has clarified that "sensitive information such as private messages, calls, groups, or phone numbers will not be used for advertising purposes." However, users who have linked their WhatsApp accounts to Meta’s Account Center may receive ads based on those shared preferences.
Additionally, WhatsApp announced that users and businesses will now be able to promote their channel content within the Status Discovery section. Selected creators and companies will also be able to offer exclusive updates via a subscription model, with payments processed through app stores.
With over 1.5 billion people using Status and Channels daily, WhatsApp said the advertising feature will be rolled out globally in the coming months.
