WhatsApp, owned by Meta, will begin displaying advertisements within the “Updates” section of the app, which includes Status and Channels—but not in private chats, which will remain ad-free and end-to-end encrypted. This marks the platform’s first move toward in-app advertising for its 1.5 billion users. In addition to ads, WhatsApp is introducing two monetization tools: paid Channel subscriptions offering exclusive content and “Promoted Channels” where businesses can pay for higher visibility. Initially, Meta will not take a revenue share from these promotions. The ads will be personalized based on users’ location, language, channels followed, and engagement—while ensuring personal messages and calls stay private. This marks WhatsApp’s biggest monetization push to date, aligning it with Meta’s broader goal of transforming the app into a super-app combining messaging, commerce, and content.
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