WhatsApp Announces Channel Subscriptions, Status Ads, and Other Business-Related Features
WhatsApp has announced that it would now display advertisements from companies. According to reports, the Meta-owned instant messaging service has been considering adding ads to its app since 2018. WhatsApp claims to utilize “limited info” to customize adverts, including language, country, and channels followed. In addition, channel subscriptions have been made available, allowing users to support both Promoted Channels and their preferred WhatsApp channels.
WhatsApp Advertisements
In a blog post, WhatsApp described the upcoming changes to its Updates tab. With the goal of assisting administrators, organizations, and businesses in expanding on WhatsApp, it includes three significant changes: Promoted Channels, Channel Subscriptions, and Ads in Status.
By paying a monthly charge, users may support their favorite channels and get special updates through Channel subscriptions, according to the Meta-owned app. As they search the directory, it will also assist them in finding new channels. WhatsApp will accomplish this by enabling administrators to increase the visibility of their channels.
The addition of adverts, however, is the most noticeable modification. These will show up in Status under the Updates tab, allowing users to find new companies and initiate a discussion about the good or service they are advertising. According to WhatsApp, advertisements will only appear in the Updates tab—not in private chats.
With this revelation, WhatsApp puts an end to years of speculation and suggestions that it would introduce advertisements to its instant messaging app. Chris Daniels, the former vice president of WhatsApp, stated in 2018 that advertisements would be the “primary monetization mode for the company,” providing a means of communication for companies. Then, a few years ago, WhatsApp CEO Will Cathcart reaffirmed that the use of advertisements was still being developed, but that it has already been implemented.
According to the business, ads in Status or Channels will only use a limited amount of data, like language, country, locality, the channels a user has followed, and how they typically interact with the ads. Additionally, it will make use of data from other Meta accounts and ad settings of users who have connected WhatsApp to the Accounts Center.
“[It] will never sell or share your phone number to advertisers,” the instant messaging program emphasizes. The advertisements will not be personalized using the user’s private calls, messages, or groups.
