A big change has come for WhatsApp users. Now you will also get to see ads on your favorite messaging app. Meta has started showing ads in WhatsApp’s ‘Status’ section and Updates tab. Know more 
WhatsApp Ads:-Meta has officially started showing ads inside WhatsApp—for the first time ever. This marks a major change for the world’s most popular messaging app, which until now had been completely ad-free.
🌟 Where will the ads appear?
The ads will not show up in your private chats or groups. Instead, Meta is introducing sponsored content in the “Status” section of WhatsApp. These ads are part of a new “Updates” tab, which now includes:
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Channel Memberships
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Promoted Channels
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Ads in Status Updates
So when you check someone’s status (just like Instagram stories), you might now see short ads in between.
🔐 What about privacy?
Meta says your personal messages, calls, and group activity will remain private and secure, just like before. Ads won’t be based on your chat content. Instead, WhatsApp will only use very limited info to show ads—like your city, country, and language.
Also, your phone number will not be shared with advertisers.
If you link your WhatsApp account with Meta’s Account Center (used for Facebook and Instagram), your experience across all three platforms might change slightly—what you see on Facebook and Instagram could be influenced by your activity on WhatsApp.
💼 Why is Meta doing this?
Meta has been planning to monetize WhatsApp for years. In fact, back in 2023, WhatsApp Head Will Cathcart mentioned that ads were coming soon. Now, it’s official.
Meta already earns massive money from ads on Facebook and Instagram—$160 billion in 2023 alone. Now, they’re turning WhatsApp into another revenue stream by introducing light, targeted advertising.
📊 How many people will see these ads?
WhatsApp has 1.5 billion daily users, making it a huge opportunity for advertisers. The introduction of ads is Meta’s way of using that audience for sustainable business growth, while still trying to keep the user experience smooth and private.
This is a big shift for WhatsApp. While the ads won’t interrupt your chats, some users might still find them a bit intrusive. But for Meta, it’s a major step towards making WhatsApp a part of their wider business strategy—just like Facebook and Instagram.
Let’s see how users respond in the coming weeks.