Meta-owned messaging giant WhatsApp is preparing to break with its long-standing ad-free tradition by introducing advertisements and a paid subscription service.

The company, however, has emphasized that these changes will not impact users’ private conversations, nor will it analyze encrypted messages to target ads.

According to multiple media reports, WhatsApp plans to allow businesses to place ads in the app’s “Status” section—a feature similar to Instagram Stories, launched in 2023 and now used by 1.5 billion people daily.

In the coming months, business accounts will be able to promote their products and services directly within Status updates. Additionally, businesses will have the option to send targeted messages to users who subscribe to their channels.

Paid subscriptions for exclusive content

WhatsApp will also roll out a paid subscription feature, allowing users to pay a monthly fee to subscribe to specific channels for exclusive updates.

The platform will promote channels by recommending new ones to users browsing the directory, giving channel administrators greater visibility and the potential to reach wider audiences.

Privacy remains top priority

WhatsApp has reiterated that the new features will be limited to the Status tab and will not affect the core messaging experience.

Private chats, calls, and status updates will continue to be protected by end-to-end encryption, ensuring that no one—including WhatsApp itself—can access or listen to users’ personal content.

With over 3 billion active users worldwide, including 200 million business accounts, WhatsApp has long prided itself on being ad-free since its founding in 2009. However, after Meta acquired WhatsApp for US$19 billion in 2014, speculation about monetization strategies has persisted.

The introduction of ads and subscriptions marks a significant shift as WhatsApp seeks new revenue streams.

Market reaction to the move has been mixed. Some analysts see the commercialisation of a major messaging platform as a potential game-changer, with the possibility of generating over US$10 billion in annual revenue within a few years.

Others, however, point out that WhatsApp’s core value is privacy, and unlike Facebook or Instagram, it cannot leverage large-scale user data collection for targeted advertising, potentially limiting its advertising revenue growth.

(Marco Lam)

WhatsApp unveils plans for ads and premium channels, assures user privacy