Meta is making significant strides to monetize WhatsApp by experimenting with new advertising features. In its most recent Android beta update (version 2.25.21.11), the messaging platform has rolled out two new tools: ‘Status Ads’ and ‘Promoted Channels’. These features are currently accessible to a select group of beta users on Android, as reported by WABetaInfo. Status Ads resemble the advertisements found on Instagram Stories. Business accounts now have the ability to post sponsored content that will be displayed in users’ Status feeds. These ads will appear amidst updates from friends and family, clearly labeled as “sponsored” to help users distinguish them from personal posts. WhatsApp is also empowering users with control over their ad experience. If a user prefers not to see ads from a specific advertiser, they can block that advertiser, ensuring those ads do not reappear. The second feature, Promoted Channels, aims to enhance the visibility of public channels within WhatsApp’s channel directory. Similar to Status Ads, these promoted channels will also be identified as “sponsored”.
When a business or creator invests in promoting their channel, it will rank higher in search results, facilitating easier discovery and following by users. These updates could prove highly beneficial for brands, creators, and organizations seeking to rapidly expand their audience. Furthermore, this development indicates WhatsApp’s serious commitment to entering the advertising and creator monetization space, a practice already prevalent on platforms such as Instagram and YouTube. Meta has assured users that these advertisements will not compromise their privacy. The company states that all promotional content will be displayed solely in public areas like Status and Channels, and will not intrude into private chats. Therefore, personal messages will remain free of advertisements. Previously, in an earlier beta update (2.25.19.15), WhatsApp began testing a feature that allows users to download comprehensive ad activity reports.
