Key Points :

WhatsApp will begin showing advertisements on the Status (Updates) tab from June 2025 without breaking end-to-end encrypted chats.

Monetization features introduced are paid subscription on Channels and sponsored Channels, and Meta does not charge any commission on these for the first year.

Key Background :

Add advertising to WhatsApp is a change in business model after decades of ad-free presence. The service has largely relied on commercial hardware and backchannel sources of revenue such as Facebook and Instagram click-to-chat ads since it was purchased by Meta for $19 billion in 2014. Its Status (Updates) page utilized by over 1.5 billion people every day is a lucrative source of revenue without sacrificingsecret communication.

In contrast to the rest of Meta products, WhatsApp never sacrificed simplicity and privacy. New ads are carefully put in non-obtrusive locations—between Status updates and in Channels—so private conversation isn't interrupted. It's a balance between needing to monetize and the app's extended history of honoring user privacy.

WhatsApp has solid policies for the handling of user data, and all of us know how that data will and will not be used. This advertising will only appear on general data that is insensitive, and no call, message, or group activity content will be queried. Phone numbers are also not given to advertisers. Users who would like to link their WhatsApp into Meta's broader Account Center can enjoy cross-platform personalization—but on their own terms. Customers Who Would Like to Link Their WhatsApp to Meta's Broader Account Center.

Apart from mentioning advertisements, WhatsApp also introduced paid Channel subscriptions. The feature enables creators and businesses to privately send updates for payment, opening new monetization channels. Meta won't take a cut of revenue on subscriptions during the first year, providing creators with a full share of earnings. Promoted Channels also enable brands to pay for increased discoverability, making WhatsApp a sought-after platform for building audiences.

Eventually, the change positions WhatsApp alongside Asia's super apps like WeChat that combine messaging with media, commerce, and advertising. In attempting monetization into non-intrusive features of the app, WhatsApp feels it can make steady revenues without diminishing core functionality that made the messaging service the world's most trusted.