WhatsApp introduces targeted ads while vowing to protect user privacy
Meta-owned WhatsApp is rolling out three new advertising features globally while assuring users their private chats will remain untouched. The 1.5 billion-user platform confirmed ads will appear exclusively in the “Updates” tab – separate from encrypted messages – using only location data, language preferences, and channel interactions for targeting.
The ad formats include promoted channels with optional paid subscriptions (subject to WhatsApp’s 10% fee) and status-based ads resembling Instagram Stories.
While users linking WhatsApp to Facebook/Instagram accounts will see personalized ads, the company emphasizes message content won’t influence targeting.
The move marks WhatsApp’s most significant step toward profitability since its 2014 acquisition, balancing revenue ambitions with its privacy-focused reputation.
Businesses gain new outreach tools, but WhatsApp’s challenge lies in maintaining user trust as commercial elements expand.
