WhatsApp ongoing dance with advertisements takes an interesting turn
WhatsApp Despite affirming the absence of ads in the main inbox, the chat app might soon feature them in the Status section, akin to Stories, as well as in channels.
Will Cathcart, the head of WhatsApp,
While rebuffing a previous Financial Times report suggesting impending ads, Whatsapp Cathcart emphasized the inappropriateness of integrating them into the inbox. “The reason I qualified [sic] the answer is that there could be ads in other places — channels or status,” he explained. Channels might introduce subscription fees, exclusivity for paid members, or owner-driven promotions, but the inbox remains ad-free, as per Cathcart.
Although WhatsApp had considered ads in the Status feature years ago, no such implementation has materialized. A Meta spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch that Status ads are not currently undergoing testing in any country. However, Meta refrained from providing an official statement on the matter.
Earlier this year, with the launch of Channels in June, WhatsApp indicated its exploration of promotional tools for the Channels directory. Meta, the parent company, has yet to disclose specific plans or timelines for introducing ads in either the Status or Channels features.
Historically, WhatsApp, boasting a user base exceeding 2 billion globally, has generated revenue through business messaging and click-to-WhatsApp ads on external platforms like Facebook. As the app contemplates potential ad integration, its users await further developments in the evolving landscape of WhatsApp’s advertising strategy.
