In a move that marks a major shift in user experience, Meta has officially begun rolling out WhatsApp Ads through the app’s “Status” feature. The announcement came on Monday, with the tech giant confirming that this long-anticipated advertising update is being implemented gradually, and with user privacy at the forefront.
WhatsApp Ads Arrive in Status Tab
The WhatsApp Ads will appear in the Updates tab, specifically within the Status feature, WhatsApp’s version of Stories that allows users to share photos, videos, voice notes, and texts that disappear after 24 hours. Meta emphasizes privacy by building the ads with encryption and secure messaging at the core.
This is not the first time Meta has hinted at bringing ads to WhatsApp. Plans were first revealed in 2018, but public backlash and internal debates delayed the rollout. Now, nearly six years later, the company is carefully reintroducing the idea with a focus on non-intrusive placements and clear boundaries.
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Meta acquired WhatsApp in 2014 for a record-breaking $19.3 billion, and since then, monetizing the app without compromising its core privacy promise has been a challenge. The introduction of WhatsApp advertisements in the Status section appears to be Meta’s answer to a compromise that aims to deliver value to businesses while maintaining a secure environment for personal chats.
Meta will initially roll out the feature in specific regions, and users will gradually start seeing ads in their Updates tab. While WhatsApp has not announced whether users will have control over settings related to ads, Meta has reiterated that the core messaging experience will remain ad-free for now.
As Meta explores this new revenue stream, the digital landscape watches closely. People have yet to decide whether they will welcome WhatsApp Ads or react with controversy, but one thing is certain: the world’s most-used messaging app continues to evolve.
