Meta has officially announced the introduction of advertising in WhatsApp. The advertising content will appear in the "Updates" tab, where users view feeds and statuses. According to Meta, this tab is used daily by 1.5 billion people worldwide.
WhatsApp advertising will come in two forms. First, ads will appear in the Status section, helping users discover and engage with new and interesting channels directly within WhatsApp. Second, we are introducing Promoted Channels, which will allow advertisers to promote their own content so that users can discover new and interesting resources.
Meta also introduced a new channel subscription feature, which allows users to pay a monthly fee to receive exclusive updates. However, the company emphasizes that advertising and subscriptions are limited to the "Updates" tab and will not affect private chats, calls, or personal groups. Meta also pledges to never share or sell users' phone numbers to advertisers.
Advertising content in statuses and channels will be adapted according to the user's location, language, and their interaction with advertising materials. If the WhatsApp account is linked to the Meta Account Center, advertising settings and information from other accounts (Facebook, Instagram) may also be used.
According to Meta, all changes will be implemented gradually over the next few months.