WhatsApp Will Limit Broadcast Messages for Users and Businesses
WhatsApp announced plans to restrict the number of broadcast messages users and businesses can send to reduce spam on the platform.
In the next few weeks, WhatsApp will begin testing restrictions on individual broadcast messages. These tests will introduce a monthly cap on the number of broadcasts users can send. While the limits may vary during the trial phase, Meta provided an example of allowing up to 30 messages per month.
Meta suggested that users who want to reach a larger audience beyond the broadcast limits can utilize Status updates or channels.
WhatsApp Business Restrictions and Paid Features on the Horizon
Additionally, the company is considering implementing similar restrictions for business accounts. Currently, WhatsApp Business users can send unlimited broadcast messages for free, but WhatsApp plans to launch a paid version of the feature, offering additional tools and functionalities.
In the coming months, Meta will trial customized broadcast messages for product updates and holiday sales. Business account users will also gain the ability to schedule messages. During the pilot phase, merchants will receive 250 customized messages for free, after which additional messages will be available for a fee—though pricing has not yet been announced.
Meta aims to strike a balance, allowing users to receive occasional broadcasts without feeling overwhelmed. WhatsApp has already taken steps to reduce spam, including limiting the number of daily marketing messages. Last year, it also began testing an “unsubscribe” feature, enabling users to opt out of specific business messages without blocking the sender.
WhatsApp Business
In recent years, WhatsApp Business has become a valuable asset for Meta, with revenue steadily increasing, as noted by company executives in earnings calls. Meta provides the WhatsApp Business app for free, offering features like a landing page, a business profile with essential details, and the ability to create a product catalog. However, the company monetizes the platform by charging for different types of messages—such as marketing, utility, service, and authentication—when businesses utilize its API-driven solution.
Beyond API-based conversation charges, Meta’s only optional fee was for the Meta Verified subscription. The upcoming paid broadcast messaging feature will be among the first monetized tools available to merchants who don’t use APIs, adding another revenue stream for Meta.
In addition to modifying how broadcast messages function, the company is also updating the logo for its WhatsApp Business app.
Read the original article on: TechCrunch
Leave a Reply