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WhatsApp decided to move on and introduced a new feature — Ads in Status. This interesting solution both pleases users and upsets them. So, what are the key features and benefits for marketers?
It’s been 11 years since WhatsApp became part of Meta. And all this time, the company has stuck to its basic course, not providing opportunities for advertising. However, from June 16, 2025, ads will start showing up in the “Updates” tab of WhatsApp which has 1.5 billion daily users.
The WhatsApp’s team claims that these ads won’t intrude on private messaging but will be part of the status updates and channel features like Instagram Stories. Businesses can run status ads that encourage user interaction through WhatsApp’s messaging capabilities.
Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, has announced plans to monetize the platform further through channel subscriptions and promoted channels. Users can subscribe to certain channels for exclusive updates and create a new revenue stream for both WhatsApp and content creators.
User Reactions and Concerns
Users’ opinions are divided. And many of them are unhappy, worried that ads will ruin the app’s simplicity and user experience. Social media comments are full of betrayal, as WhatsApp co-founders had previously promised no ads.
Critics also say this goes against the original WhatsApp ethos of a clean and simple messaging service.
Privacy
Meta says your personal messages will remain encrypted and ads will be shown based on limited user data like location and interaction with existing channels. Nikila Srinivasan, Meta’s head of product for business messaging, says “the Updates tab is the right place for these new features” to minimize disruption to personal chats.
Benefits of WhatsApp Ads for Marketers
For marketers, introducing WhatsApp ads has numerous benefits. For example, it’s another way to promote products and services among wide audience:
- Massive Reach: With 1.5 billion users worldwide, you have access to a huge audience;
- More Customer Interaction: You can start conversations with potential customers and get higher engagement and conversion rates;
- Link to Existing Campaigns: You can link ads to your existing Facebook and Instagram campaigns and have a unified marketing strategy across platforms.
What’s Next
As WhatsApp begins this new chapter, it must balance monetization with user satisfaction. Ads is a big pivot for Meta to leverage WhatsApp’s massive user base while navigating the complex landscape of user expectations and privacy concerns.
While we’ll see how this impacts user engagement in the long run, this is a big moment for WhatsApp as a business tool and how users will interact with brands and services on the app.
