WhatsApp is Introducing Advertisements to its Status Screen

After years of offering its services ad-free, WhatsApp is now set to introduce advertisements within the app. Specifically, these ads will appear only on the Status screen — WhatsApp’s version of Instagram Stories.

Much like Instagram, where ads show up after viewing a few stories, WhatsApp will begin displaying ads once users scroll through several Status updates.

Ad Targeting Based on Location, Language, and User Activity

The company explained that its ad system relies on signals such as a user’s location (country or city), language, followed channels, and interactions with ads.

Meta emphasized that it does not use personally identifiable information—like phone numbers, messages, calls, or group activity—for targeted advertising. However, if a user links their WhatsApp account to Meta’s Account Center, Meta may use ad preferences from there to personalize ads.

The company announced that businesses and users can now promote their Channels—WhatsApp’s broadcast feature—through the discovery section. Additionally, select creators and businesses will be able to offer paid subscriptions for access to exclusive Channel updates, with payments handled through app stores.

Status and Channels Reach Over 1.5 Billion Daily Users, Meta Reports

Meta also revealed that more than 1.5 billion people use Status and Channels daily.

Until now, WhatsApp has earned revenue primarily through its WhatsApp Business platform and click-to-WhatsApp ads, which Meta has consistently highlighted as expanding revenue streams in recent earnings reports.

Alice Newton Rex, WhatsApp’s VP of Product, stated during a briefing that introducing ads is a logical next step in expanding the app’s revenue model.

Ad and Promotion Tools Mark Natural Progression for Business Discovery on WhatsApp

“These new ad and promotion tools felt like a natural progression, especially now that both services have grown enough to help users discover businesses directly within WhatsApp. It’s also something we’ve consistently heard businesses express interest in,” she explained.

WhatsApp confirmed that ads and related features will be launched worldwide over the next few months.

Read the original article on: Techcrunch

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