WhatsApp announced on Monday that users will soon start seeing ads in certain sections of the app. This move comes as its parent company, Meta Platforms, looks for new ways to earn revenue from its extensive user base of billions. The advertisements will only be displayed in the Updates tab, which is used by around 1.5 billion people daily, ensuring that personal chat areas remain free of ads.
In a blog post, WhatsApp assured users that the personal messaging experience will not change, stressing that personal messages, calls, and statuses are end-to-end encrypted and will not be utilized for advertising purposes.
This represents a major change for the platform, which was founded in 2009 by Jan Koum and Brian Acton, who had committed to keeping WhatsApp free of advertisements. After Facebook acquired WhatsApp in 2014, both founders left a few years later, prompting Meta to seek ways to monetize the app.
WhatsApp indicated that ads will be targeted based on various factors, such as age, geographic location, language preferences, the channels users follow within the app, and their interactions with the ads. Importantly, the app clarified that it will not use personal messages, calls, or group memberships to customize ads for individuals.
In addition to this new advertising initiative, WhatsApp has introduced two other features aimed at monetization: Channels will have the option to charge users a monthly subscription fee for exclusive updates, and business owners can pay to boost their channel’s visibility to attract new followers.
The majority of Meta’s revenue comes from advertising; in 2025, the company’s revenue reached USD 164.5 billion, with USD 160.6 billion of that amount generated from ad sales.
In the meantime, WhatsApp has introduced several new features aimed at making Status updates more engaging and expressive. The addition of music stickers, interactive tools, and layout collages enhances these updates, turning simple posts into lively stories. As a result, the Status section evolves beyond mere temporary photos or text updates, encouraging users to share more meaningful experiences.
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