WhatsApp starts showing ads in status and promoted channels for select users: 5 key things to know
WhatsApp is soon going to show advertisements in the form of Status Updates and Promoted Channels, marking a major shift in its monetisation strategy. These include Sponsored labels, ad activity reports, user controls, and privacy protections.
WhatsApp ads Meta is gearing up to monetise WhatsApp further, as its latest Android beta version 2.25.21.11 introduces Status Ads and Promoted Channels. These two long-anticipated features are aimed at helping businesses and creators expand their reach on the messaging app.
Ad formats These ad formats include Status update ads, promoted channels, and channel subscription promotions. According to WABetaInfo, they are currently available to select Android beta testers.
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Status ads The Status Ads feature will allow business accounts to display sponsored content in users' Status feeds. These ads are expected to appear randomly between multiple user updates from friends and family. However, they will come with a sponsored mark.
Promoted channels WhatsApp will also display certain public channels within the app’s directory window, in the form of ad content. Like Status ads, these promoted channels will carry a sponsored label to differentiate them from organic suggestions. These will be used by various businesses or creators to boost their visibility amongst different users.
User privacy Despite concerns around ads on private messaging platforms, especially regarding user data, WhatsApp insists that user privacy remains unaffected. These advertisements, for now will not be visible in private chats, and are confined strictly to the Updates section, which includes Status and Channels.
