-
Meta adds Subscriptions, Promoted Channels, and Ads to WhatsApp monetization.
-
Users receive exclusive updates, personalized channel recommendations, and targeted ads.
-
Chats stay private, phone numbers won’t be shared.
Meta has announced major updates to WhatsApp’s Updates tab, introducing three new features designed to help creators, organizations, and businesses grow their audience and generate income.
In a statement issued on Monday, the tech giant revealed that the Updates tab — home to both Status and Channels — will now support Channel Subscriptions for exclusive content, Promoted Channels to boost visibility, and Ads in Status for targeted product and service promotions.
These additions mark a significant step in WhatsApp’s evolution, representing one of its most determined efforts yet to monetize the platform without disrupting private conversations.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
READ MORE: Uche Jombo Delivers AMVCA Best Actress Award to Chioma Akpotha in the US
“We’ve been talking for years about how to build a business on WhatsApp in a way that doesn’t interrupt personal chats. We believe the Updates tab is the right place to introduce that,” Meta stated.
According to the company, over 1.5 billion people access the Updates tab daily — either to check Status updates from friends or follow Channels belonging to public figures, creators, or organizations. With that massive engagement, Meta sees a clear path to introduce business-oriented tools.
In detailing the features, Meta explained that Channel Subscriptions will allow users to follow select channels — including media outlets, influencers, or sports teams — for a monthly fee in exchange for exclusive updates.
With Promoted Channels, WhatsApp will begin suggesting new channels to users based on their interests, giving businesses and creators a paid option to increase discoverability.
For Ads in Status, businesses can now run targeted advertisements within the Status feature — similar to Instagram Stories — offering users a direct way to engage with brands and explore new offerings.
Meta emphasized that privacy remains a top priority despite the introduction of advertising features.
“Your personal messages, calls, and groups remain end-to-end encrypted, and that includes your Status updates. We’ll never sell or share your phone number with advertisers,” the company said.
“To show ads in Status or Channels you might care about, we’ll use limited info like your country or city, language, the Channels you’re following, and how you interact with the ads you see.
“For people who have chosen to add WhatsApp to Accounts Center, we’ll also use your ad preferences and info from across your Meta accounts.
“We will never sell or share your phone number to advertisers. Your personal messages, calls, and groups you are in will not be used to determine the ads you may see,” Meta reiterated.
The company noted that the features will be introduced gradually over the coming months, with interested businesses and channel administrators already able to access more details through official WhatsApp Business resources.
Cubana Chief Priest Hails Davido, Says He’s Blessed To Have Him
Celebrity barman Pascal Chibuike, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has publicly expressed gratitude to Nigerian music sensation Davido for his consistent support.
In a post shared via Instagram, Chief Priest posted a behind-the-scenes video from the shoot of Davido’s new music video With You.
