- WhatsApp begins rolling out ads in the Status and Updates tabs, not in private chats.
- Businesses can promote channels and offer paid subscriptions for exclusive content.
- Meta aims to monetise WhatsApp while maintaining end-to-end encryption and user privacy.
WhatsApp, long known for its ad-free experience, is now cautiously stepping into advertising by introducing commercial content in the Status and Updates sections.
The company is also unveiling channel subscriptions, enabling users to pay for exclusive updates from creators or businesses. This marks a notable shift in WhatsApp’s monetisation strategy, moving from a purely messaging-focused platform to one that incorporates business tools and creator-driven revenue, similar to trends seen on Instagram and Telegram.
WhatsApp Starts Monetising with Ads — But Your Chats Stay Private
WhatsApp’s long-held stance against advertising is changing, but with strict boundaries. The new ads will be restricted to the Status and Updates sections, avoiding any intrusion into private chats. This targeted rollout reflects Meta’s attempt to strike a balance between monetization and preserving WhatsApp’s core value: secure, ad-free communication.
Unlike traditional ad models, WhatsApp will use basic user data like city, language, and in-app activity — not message content — to personalise ads. Users who link their WhatsApp with Facebook or Instagram accounts, however, will see more tailored ad experiences across Meta platforms.
A major new feature includes paid subscriptions for channels, allowing fans to receive exclusive content. WhatsApp plans to take a 10% commission on subscription fees, which may vary further depending on app store policies. This is aimed at making WhatsApp more creator- and business-friendly, without transforming it into a cluttered social network.
This evolution positions WhatsApp alongside other Meta-owned platforms in building a multi-revenue model, while maintaining encryption and privacy. Still, experts warn that in regions like Europe, users may push back against any sign of the platform becoming too “Facebook-like.”
WhatsApp’s advertising rollout signals a new era for the platform—one that tries to balance business growth with user trust. Whether it succeeds depends on how users respond to this careful shift.
“When advertising is involved, you, the user, are the product.” – Jan Koum, WhatsApp Co-founder
