Meta has launched advertisements in WhatsApp’s “Updates” tab, similar to Instagram Stories, allowing businesses to place ads in Status feeds starting this week. This initiative does not interfere with private messages or access encrypted content.
Advertisements will be targeted using limited user data such as country, language settings, and previous ad interactions. Users with linked Facebook or Instagram accounts may receive personalized promotions. WhatsApp head Will Cathcart noted this expansion reflects a trend seen on platforms like Snapchat and Telegram, assuring users can ignore the Updates tab without affecting their messaging experience.
Additionally, companies can promote public “Channels” in WhatsApp’s Explore panel and monetize premium content, with WhatsApp retaining a 10% commission on subscriptions.
