WhatsApp to run ads

In a significant shift for one of the world’s most popular messaging apps, WhatsApp, owned by tech giant Meta, is set to introduce advertisements. This move marks a pivotal change in the app’s approach since its acquisition by Meta (formerly Facebook) for nearly $20 billion in 2014.

WhatsApp, known for its end-to-end encryption and user-friendly interface, has long been a challenge for Meta in terms of monetization, given its free-to-use model and encryption that limits personalized ad targeting.

The introduction of ads, however, will not affect the main chat inbox where most user interactions occur.

Instead, advertisements are slated to appear in less intrusive sections of the app, such as the Status feature and a new addition called channels, which is similar to a feature in the competing app, Telegram. Channels will be unique in the WhatsApp ecosystem as they will not be protected by the app’s hallmark end-to-end encryption.

WhatsApp’s head, Will Cathcart, has assured users that the core messaging experience will remain free and ad-free. The decision to incorporate ads appears to be part of Meta’s broader strategy to leverage its vast social media network, which also includes Facebook Messenger and Instagram, collectively bringing in about $10 billion a year.

Meta’s monetization strategy for WhatsApp includes charging businesses a fee to interact with customers through the app and offering related paid services such as Facebook and Instagram ads that direct users to a company’s WhatsApp presence.

This move by WhatsApp represents a delicate balancing act between maintaining user trust and opening new revenue streams. As one of the most widely used messaging platforms globally, any changes to its operating model are closely watched and could set precedents for the industry at large.