New monetisation features include channel subscriptions, promoted channels, and ads in the Status section.
For the first time since its launch, WhatsApp is set to display advertisements within the app, marking a significant shift in its monetisation strategy. The update was announced via an official blog post by the Meta-owned platform, which boasts over 2 billion monthly active users.
The ads will appear in the ‘Updates’ tab – the section that houses both ‘Status’ and ‘Channels’ – ensuring personal chats remain unaffected.
Key Monetisation Features
- Channel Subscriptions
Creators can now offer exclusive content behind a monthly paywall, allowing them to monetise their following directly within WhatsApp Channels. - Promoted Channels
A new paid promotion feature will allow select channels to appear more prominently in WhatsApp’s Discovery section – increasing reach and visibility. - Status Ads
Ads will be integrated into the Status section – WhatsApp’s version of Stories – aligning the experience with Meta’s other platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
These features will only appear in the Updates tab and will not affect private chats. For users who use WhatsApp solely for messaging, the experience will remain unchanged.
“Like everything we do at WhatsApp, we’ve built these features in the most private way possible. Your personal messages, calls, and statuses remain end-to-end encrypted – meaning no one (not even us) can see or hear them,” the company stated in its blog post.
