WhatsApp to Introduce Ads on Status: What You Need to Know
After years of being a completely ad-free platform, WhatsApp is preparing to display ads on its app — specifically, within the Status section. Much like Instagram Stories, WhatsApp’s Status feature allows users to post disappearing updates, and now, just like on Instagram, you’ll start seeing ads after viewing a few of those updates. This marks a significant change for WhatsApp, which has long prided itself on its minimalist, ad-free user experience.
Where and How You’ll See the Ads
These ads won’t appear in your chats or groups. Instead, they will only show up between Status updates, making them less intrusive. WhatsApp is taking a similar route as Instagram and Facebook Stories, where ads are seamlessly inserted between user-generated content. According to Meta, this is part of a larger push to monetize high-traffic areas of the app without disrupting the core messaging experience.
What Data Will Be Used
Meta says it will use non-personally identifiable signals to show these ads. These include your city or country, language settings, and Channels you follow. Importantly, your phone number, private messages, calls, or group data won’t be used to target ads. If you’ve linked your WhatsApp account to Meta’s Account Center, your preferences there might influence the ads you see — but only in a general sense.
New Opportunities for Businesses and Creators
Along with ads, WhatsApp is also expanding tools for creators and companies. The platform will now allow businesses and users to promote their Channels — WhatsApp’s broadcast-style feature — in the discovery section. Moreover, select creators and brands can begin charging subscriptions for access to exclusive Channel updates. These payments will be processed via app stores, much like other in-app purchases.
The Numbers Behind the Strategy
Meta says that over 1.5 billion people use WhatsApp’s Status and Channels every day, making them powerful real estate for advertisers. Until now, WhatsApp has primarily generated revenue through WhatsApp Business and click-to-WhatsApp ads shown on Facebook and Instagram. With this new update, the company is doubling down on turning WhatsApp itself into a more profitable ecosystem.
What Meta Says About the Change
Alice Newton Rex, VP of Product at WhatsApp, described the rollout as a “natural evolution” of the platform. She noted that with business tools already scaling well, the addition of ads and promotional features aligns with both WhatsApp’s growth and the needs of brands who want to connect with users directly inside the app.
Global Rollout Coming Soon
The ads and subscription features will be rolled out globally over the coming months. While this move may not please every user, it signals WhatsApp’s next chapter: one where the platform balances user experience with revenue generation, just like other Meta-owned platforms.