WhatsApp is preparing to expand the rollout of advertisements to more users, with ads appearing in the Updates tab while viewing Status updates and Channels. These ads do not appear in private chats. The platform first confirmed its plan in June this year, stating that the new advertising format would help users discover businesses and start communicating with them about products or services.
WhatsApp has now begun showing a popup message to some users informing them that advertisements will soon appear. A staff member at a common publication also received this popup on Wednesday. The company has assured users that personal messages, calls, and statuses will remain end to end encrypted and will not be used to show ads. Ads will only appear in the Status and Channels sections.
Users across social platforms have reported spotting advertisements, although it is still unclear if this marks a complete global rollout. With the latest update, people can discover new businesses through Status and start conversations with them about the services or products promoted. By using the three dot menu on an ad, users can view the advertiser’s profile or choose to hide or report the ad.
WhatsApp says advertisements will be shown based on simple details such as city or country, device language, the Channels users follow, content they engage with in Channels, and advertisements they have clicked on in Channels or Status. The company says it does not use personal messages, calls, or location shared in chats to personalise ads. It also states that it does not use device contacts or group memberships to show ads.
Users can manage their ad preferences by going to Settings, Accounts Centre, Accounts settings section, and then Ad preferences. To hide a Channel advertisement, users can tap the Sponsored label on the promoted Channel and choose Hide ad. Status ads can be hidden by tapping More options and selecting Hide ad.
The introduction of ads on the Status screen is part of Meta’s broader plan to monetise WhatsApp. Other platforms owned by the company, including Facebook and Instagram, already display advertisements inside their apps and websites.
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