WhatsApp Introduces Monetization Tools for Creators and Businesses in Major Updates Tab Overhaul

WhatsApp Launches In-App Ads with Status Feature

By DTD- On Jun 19, 2025

MENLO PARK — WhatsApp has unveiled a new suite of monetization features aimed at creators and businesses, marking a significant step in Meta’s broader push to turn its messaging platforms into revenue-generating ecosystems. The update introduces subscription models, promoted content, and advertising opportunities—all housed within the app’s “Updates” tab.

“Today we’re introducing some new features for our Updates tab, which is home to both Channels and Status,” WhatsApp announced in a statement. The company emphasized that the new tools will remain confined to the Updates section, ensuring that private chats and group messages remain unaffected.

Among the most notable features is Channel Subscription, which enables users to financially support their favorite creators through monthly payments in exchange for exclusive content. The platform is also launching Promoted Channels, allowing businesses and influencers to boost their discoverability by appearing as recommended channels within the directory.

In a first for the platform, Ads in Status will allow businesses to display advertisements within WhatsApp’s stories-style feature, creating a new avenue for customer engagement and sales conversion through direct messaging. This marks WhatsApp’s official entry into in-app advertising, a model long used by sister platforms Facebook and Instagram.

Addressing user privacy, WhatsApp stated that ad targeting will rely on limited data points such as location, language, and interactions within the Updates tab. For users who link their WhatsApp with Facebook or Instagram, ad recommendations may also be informed by broader activity across Meta platforms.

“Like everything we do at WhatsApp, we’ve built these features in the most private way possible,” the company reassured. End-to-end encryption will continue to protect all personal messages, group chats, and calls. Additionally, users’ phone numbers and message content will not be shared with advertisers.

The move reflects Meta’s evolving business strategy to diversify income sources amid slowing ad growth across traditional platforms. By enabling direct monetization tools for creators and small businesses, WhatsApp aims to become more than just a messaging service—emerging as a dynamic hub for content, commerce, and community engagement.