Meta has officially unveiled its plan to introduce advertisements on WhatsApp, marking a pivotal change in the platform's approach. These ads will appear in the Updates tab, which includes both Channels and Status updates. Reports indicate that this Updates tab is accessed by 1.5 billion users globally each day.

Businesses will now have the opportunity to showcase their products or services within the Status section, allowing users to discover new brands and engage in direct conversations.

Additionally, Channels will be able to enhance their visibility in the directory, making it easier for users to find new content while expanding the reach for channel administrators.

Users can opt for a monthly subscription to receive exclusive updates from their preferred channels, creating a new revenue avenue for content creators.

WhatsApp will utilize limited data, such as location, language, followed Channels, and ad interactions, to present relevant advertisements. Importantly, personal messages, calls, and statuses will continue to be protected by end-to-end encryption, ensuring that phone numbers remain confidential and are not shared with advertisers.

For users who have linked their WhatsApp accounts to the Meta Accounts Center, ads may be tailored based on their preferences and information from other Meta accounts.

Meta assures that advertisements will be distinctly separated from personal chats, maintaining the user experience for those who primarily use WhatsApp for personal communication. The rollout of these features is anticipated to take place gradually over the coming months.