WhatsApp Introduces Ads in Status Updates, Promoted Channels, and Channel Subscriptions

WhatsApp is currently the rare social app from Meta not to be filled with ads, but that’s about to change. Today, the WhatsApp team announced that the app’s ephemeral Status updates will soon be mixed with ads “to help you find channels and products you’re interested in.”

As of today, the Stories-like Status updates from WhatsApp contacts are visible at the top of the app’s Updates tab, which, according to WhatsApp, is used by 1.5 billion people per day. This Updates tab is also where WhatsApp users can find WhatsApp channels, which are a one-way broadcast tool similar to Instagram’s Broadcast Channels.

While WhatsApp may not be the most popular app for posting ephemeral updates, Instagram and Facebook users who add their WhatsApp account to their Meta Account Center can cross-post their Instagram and Facebook stories on WhatsApp. Anyway, Status updates on WhatsApp will soon be intertwined with ads, similar to what Instagram and Facebook users have been experiencing for quite some time.

To show relevant ads in Status updates, WhatsApp will use some personal information, including your country or city, language, the Channels you’re following, and how you interact with ads. “For people that have chosen to add WhatsApp to Accounts Center, we’ll also use your ad preferences and info from across your Meta accounts,” the company explained.

The WhatsApp team made it clear that it won’t be using the content of personal conversations and the groups users are in for ad targeting. The company also promised to never sell or share users’ phone numbers to advertisers.

Ads in Status updates will start rolling out to WhatsApp users over the next several months. The app’s Updates tab will also soon start showing promoted channels, and channel admins will also be able to offer exclusive updates to members who pay a monthly subscription.

“Subscriptions, promotions and ads will appear only on the Updates tab, away from your personal chats. This means if you only use WhatsApp to chat with friends and loved ones, there will be no change to your experience at all,” the company emphasized today.