Meta starts placing ads inside WhatsApp Status updates after hinting at changes for years. The tech company breaks away from the ad-free model that users have known. Businesses can post sponsored content that appears next to personal updates from friends and family. Companies must mark their posts as sponsored content. This marks Meta's first push to make money from WhatsApp.
WhatsApp Status allows people to post photos, videos and voice messages that disappear after one day. The company's founders fought against advertising back during 2020. Will Cathcart leads WhatsApp and brought advertising plans back during 2023. Meta sees a chance to make money from WhatsApp's 2 billion users around the world. The company earns about $160 billion each year from ads across Facebook and Instagram.
Meta creates personalized ads using basic details like which country users live and what language they speak. The company says it will never use private messages, group chats or phone calls to target ads. People can subscribe to business and creator channels for special updates. An Explore feature helps users find promoted channels. Meta changes WhatsApp from a simple messaging app into a platform that focuses on content and makes money from advertising.
WhatsApp Status allows people to post photos, videos and voice messages that disappear after one day. The company's founders fought against advertising back during 2020. Will Cathcart leads WhatsApp and brought advertising plans back during 2023. Meta sees a chance to make money from WhatsApp's 2 billion users around the world. The company earns about $160 billion each year from ads across Facebook and Instagram.
Meta creates personalized ads using basic details like which country users live and what language they speak. The company says it will never use private messages, group chats or phone calls to target ads. People can subscribe to business and creator channels for special updates. An Explore feature helps users find promoted channels. Meta changes WhatsApp from a simple messaging app into a platform that focuses on content and makes money from advertising.
