WhatsApp users will see ads for the first time. It is a big announcement by the Meta company. Ads will appear in the Updates tab, not in the chat. Have you also noticed ads on your WhatsApp?
Meta shows Ads on WhatsApp for the first time
11 years ago, Meta acquired WhatsApp, and now, for the first time, this messaging app is going to show ads on its platform. However, these ads will not appear in your private chat; they will appear in the Updates tab, which covers Status and Channels. About 1.5 billion people view this tab every day, and Meta is now using this tab as a new commercial space.
Where will the ads appear?
Ads on WhatsApp will only appear in the Status feature, which disappears in 24 hours like Instagram or Facebook Stories. These ads will appear between the statuses posted by the user. Also, sponsored content and promoted channels will start appearing in Channels.
Meta’s claim on the security of user data
Meta says that users’ private chats, groups, and calls will remain completely end-to-end encrypted. Neither will ads appear in anyone’s chat, nor will calling be tracked. Meta has also clarified that the user’s phone number, message content,t or call data will not be shared with any advertiser.
However, information such as country, city, language, and the channels the user follows will be used to make ads more relevant to the user. If you have linked WhatsApp to the Meta Account Center, your Facebook and Instagram ad preferences will also be taken into account.
New Features: Subscription and Promotion
WhatsApp is now also introducing a channel subscription model, in which users can pay a monthly fee to get exclusive updates from their favorite channels. Apart from this, businesses or creators can promote their channels in the Explore section to reach more people.
Why did this change happen?
According to Meta, this change has been made in view of the tremendous presence of users on WhatsApp’s Updates tab. Especially in countries like India and Brazil, where crores of people use Status and Channels. Meta believes that these ads will give businesses a new opportunity to connect with users.
A senior Meta official said
“We have always tried to ensure that our ads do not interfere with the user experience. Showing ads in the Updates tab is the right step in this direction.”
How will the user experience be?
If you use WhatsApp only for chatting and do not touch the Status or Channels section, then your experience may not change much. But note, this feature cannot be completely turned off or “opted out”. That is, in the coming time, the look and feel of WhatsApp will become like Facebook or Instagram.
At the bottom,
WhatsApp is no longer just a messaging app, but is becoming a part of Meta’s advertising ecosystem. Although private conversations will remain safe, seeing ads in the Updates tab is a big change for WhatsApp users. It will also help Meta to increase the revenue.
If you also look at Status or Channels, then soon you will also start seeing Sponsored Ads. Now it remains to be seen how people accept this change.
