Islamabad, June 17, 2025: Meta is introducing advertisements on WhatsApp, starting with the “Updates” tab, as part of a broader strategy to monetize the platform while keeping private chats ad-free.
WhatsApp, the world’s most popular messaging app, is set to display ads for the first time in its history. Meta has confirmed that advertisements will soon appear in the “Updates” tab, a section that features Channels and Status updates, currently accessed by over 1.5 billion users daily.
The ads will initially target the Status section of WhatsApp, where users share photo and video stories. This move allows businesses to market directly to WhatsApp users in a more interactive and engaging format. Meta is also launching a feature called “Promoted Channels”, which will display suggested Channels based on user interests and activity, giving brands and influencers a new way to increase visibility.
In another major update, Meta is introducing paid subscriptions for WhatsApp Channels. Users can now subscribe to select Channels on a monthly basis to access exclusive updates and premium content. This feature is aimed at helping creators, public figures, and organizations monetize their content directly through WhatsApp.
Despite these changes, Meta insists that private chats will remain secure. All personal messages, group chats, and calls will continue to be end-to-end encrypted and will not be interrupted by ads.
Ad targeting on WhatsApp will rely on non-personal data such as location (country, city), language, and interactions with public Channels. For users who link their account to Meta’s Accounts Center, additional insights from Facebook and Instagram may be used to fine-tune ad delivery—though Meta confirmed that phone numbers and private messages will never be shared with advertisers.
This new monetization plan will be rolled out gradually over the next few months, marking a significant shift in WhatsApp’s business model while still prioritizing user privacy.
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