WhatsApp introduces first major advertising features
SAN FRANCISCO - WhatsApp announced it will introduce its boldest advertising features yet, marking a significant shift for the messaging platform that has largely remained ad-free since its launch.
The move is a sensitive one for WhatsApp, whose chief firmly denied a report in 2023 that said the Meta-owned app was exploring advertisements as it sought to boost revenue.
Unlike Facebook, Instagram, and other social platforms, WhatsApp has maintained minimal advertising since Meta acquired it in 2014.
Users and regulators have kept a close watch on whether the social media giant would seek to monetise an app that was primarily used to chat with friends and family, and was appreciated for its privacy.
Until now, the platform's advertising consisted primarily of WhatsApp Business promotional messages to opted-in customers and some limited Status ad testing in select markets.
The messaging app has no display ads in chat feeds or conversations.
The company said it will roll out three new monetisation features exclusively within its Updates tab, which houses both Channels and Status features used by 1.5 billion people daily and became widely available last year.
The company stressed that users who only use WhatsApp for personal messaging will see no changes to their experience, as all new features are confined to the separate Updates tab.
"We've been talking about our plans to build a business that does not interrupt your personal chats for years and we believe the Updates tab is the right place for these new features to work," WhatsApp said.
The new features include paid channel subscriptions, promoted channels in the Discovery directory, and advertisements within Status, WhatsApp's version of Instagram Stories.
WhatsApp emphasised that the new advertising features are designed with privacy safeguards.
"I want to be really clear about one thing: Your personal messages, calls and statuses will remain end-to-end encrypted. This means no one, not even us, can see or hear them, and they cannot be used for ads," Nikila Srinivasan, vice president of product management at Meta, told reporters.
The company committed to never selling or sharing phone numbers to advertisers and said personal messages, calls, and group memberships will not influence ad targeting.
"To show ads in Status or Channels, we're going to use basic information like your country or city, your device language and your activity in the Updates tab," Srinivasan said.
The introduction of advertising represents Meta's effort to monetise WhatsApp's massive user base of over two billion monthly active users.
Industry analysts have long speculated that Meta would eventually bring advertising to WhatsApp given its scale and engagement rates.
The timeline for these features was not specified in the announcement.
"They're going to be rolling out slowly over the next few months, so it might be a while until you see them in your countries," Srinivasan said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Over 400 new bays for hawkers approved in Cape Town CBD
City Council has approved four major informal trading plans around Cape Town, unlocking a total of nearly 800 new trading opportunities. As many as 416 trading bays have been proposed for Cape Town's Grand Parade alone. This is already one of Cape Town's busiest and most contested trading hubs. Other areas set to benefit from the move include Mamre and Pella near Atlantis, Elsies River, and Gatesville. Together, these plans aim to create more inclusive, better-regulated, and economically viable trading spaces for hundreds of hawkers and the communities they serve. 'These plans are not just about regulation – they're about practical improvements that support local traders and stimulate economic activity,' said Alderman James Vos. 'We've pushed to get them approved because I've seen first-hand the positive impact they've had in areas where similar interventions have been implemented.' According to a statement released by the City, the new initiative aims to improve the infrastructure of trading bays and the surrounding spaces. The City also plans to give permits to previously unpermitted hawkers, giving them access to City support services. This in turn would help improve compliance in line with the City's Informal Trading by-law. The breakdown of new trading opportunities is as follows: Grand Parade, Cape Town CBD: 416 bays Gatesville: 265 bays (including 116 new opportunities) Elsies River: 60 bays Mamre and Pella: 42 bays The above allocations are set to significantly expand economic opportunities for hawkers and the entire value chain. Vos also emphasised the importance of consultation in shaping the plans. 'I really enjoy engaging with traders and hearing directly from them about what's needed,' he added. 'These plans are shaped by such conversations and are designed to create cleaner, safer, and more functional trading spaces.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- The Citizen
AI is transforming Tshwane's tourism industry
The unveiling of a WhatsApp chatbot, a new Artificial Intelligence-powered concierge designed by four visionary hoteliers, was at the heart of the annual general meeting of the Tshwane Tourism Association held on June 19 in Pretoria. 'Four hotel experts designed the chatbot for the hospitality industry to transform hospitality industry communication,' said chairperson Susan Marais. She explained the purpose was to bridge communication gaps, soften the formality of traditional reception, and offer guests 24-hour concierge service. According to her, the chatbot promises a sense of belonging, smoother guest experiences, and easier marketing by sending targeted emails and follow-ups, with early trials showing excellent feedback rates from WhatsApp interactions. Marais emphasised that AI could take a business in the hospitality industry to the next level. She sees the chatbot as not only a service enhancement but a strategic tool: 'It's a faster, friendlier way to reach guests, keep them informed, and give them that feeling of home'. Looking ahead to 2026, the association is mapping out an outstanding year with several aims, like strengthening safety structures, building on its existing Memorandum of Understanding with the metro and metro police to ensure tourists feel safe at all times. Marais is also looking towards leading the association to expand the grading of establishments to raise the benchmark across accommodation providers. This will support township tourism by spotlighting local cultural experiences and township-led tourism routes, and develop an urban heritage circuit. 'We want to design walkable and guided historic city routes with storytelling flair as well as improve connectivity and transport, forging partnerships with public and private transport players for better links between hotels, attractions, and transit hubs.' She noted that most of these initiatives are 'pretty well on track'. She stressed the importance of keeping hospitality training accessible. 'After Covid-19, training has become a luxury, but our focus must remain on this important aspect.' The year kicked off with the association's showcase event at the CSIR International Convention Centre, drawing 60 exhibitors and over 400 visitors. 'Old friendships were renewed, and new relationships and collaborations were forged,' said Marais. To her, the annual Official Tshwane Guide was a standout promotional tool in the past year. Over 6 000 copies were distributed in key airports, hotels, and lodges, helping tourists easily discover what Tshwane offers. The association is gearing up for its 25th anniversary edition of the guide in 2026. Marais explained the association tapped into university campuses to encourage tourism careers over the past year. 'We spoke to university students to get more students to study in the hospitality industry,' she said. 'This initiative supports long-term workforce development in Tshwane's tourism ecosystem.' In the past year, the association also strengthened its reach by networking with other tourism bodies across South Africa, and maintained safety sessions with the metro police and the service provider of a Tshwane safety app. She underlined these partnerships, noting that resident and visitor safety is critical and continuously improving. Reflecting on the year's successes and looking forward, she said: 'I cannot help but look back at the past 12 months as an absolute whirlwind. We cannot wait to share many of these new initiatives with our members throughout the year to come.' The Tshwane Tourism Awards 2025, scheduled for August 16 at Batter Boys Village, will recognise excellence across hospitality, events, sustainability, and innovation. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
14 hours ago
- The South African
Jessica Motaung talks about Kaizer Chiefs money
Ask most Kaizer Chiefs fans if they believe Amakhosi avoid spending on player transfers, and they will likely concur. Is this true of the Betway Premiership giants? The club's Marketing and Commercial Director, Jessica Motaung, has dismissed that as a false perception. According to Motaung, Kaizer Chiefs spend plenty of money but may be subject to unfair market prices for players. Orlando Pirates legend sends a serious message to Sipho Mbule Left to right: Kaizer Chiefs football manager Bobby, the chairman, Kaizer, and the Sporting Director, Kaizer Jr. Images: BackpagePix 'Chiefs pay a lot of money, sir,' Motuang said via Soccer Laduma . 'So, I'm actually quite surprised so I think it is absolute nonsense. If I look at our budgets and I look and the investments we are making into players and the transfer space. Dylan Cox joins Orlando Pirates 'I also think the South African market needs to evaluate itself. Are the negotiations fair? Are the prices people are asking for players fair? We have to look at our industry but we have certainly made sure and you can see from our investments in the last season. 'Not only in the players but in the technical team. You can see that Chiefs are putting money where its mouth is. It is a matter of making sure we evaluate and make sure our spend gives us the return that we need,' Motaung added. 'For me I would say at Kaizer Chiefs we work as a team, and we must be honest about that, that sometimes things work out and at times they don't. 'I think the guys on the technical side are working very hard and they have the support of the board and the chairman and all of us even at the marketing side. We must be fair in that the market has changed and the climate has changed, and every team goes through cycles and changes. 'There was a time when certain teams were not at the top and experiencing challenges and we are fortunate in that we have had years and years of absolute success. It is just now that we have had a period of challenges, and it is great that we have won the Nedbank Cup. 'We need to be careful in saying we didn't have good players when those players won us the Nedbank Cup,' Motaung added. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
