New Delhi, July 22: Meta has taken a major step toward monetising WhatsApp by introducing advertising features in its latest Android beta update (version 2.25.21.11). The update brings two new tools — Status Ads and Promoted Channels — currently available to select beta users, as reported by WABetaInfo.
The Status Ads feature mirrors Instagram’s Stories ad format, allowing business accounts to share sponsored content in users’ Status feeds. These ads will appear between personal updates from friends and family, clearly labelled as “sponsored” to distinguish them from regular posts. Importantly, users will be able to block advertisers they don’t wish to see, offering a degree of personal control over ad visibility.
The second major feature, Promoted Channels, is designed to enhance the visibility of public channels within WhatsApp’s channel directory. Businesses and creators can now pay to have their channels featured more prominently in search results, boosting discoverability and potential follower growth. Like Status Ads, these will also carry a “sponsored” tag.
These changes mark WhatsApp’s serious foray into advertising and content monetisation, aligning it more closely with Meta’s other platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, where paid promotion and ad revenue models are already well-established.
Meta has assured users that privacy remains a top priority. All ads will be restricted to public areas — Status and Channels — and will not appear in private chats. Personal messages will remain free of advertising.
Additionally, a previous beta update (version 2.25.19.15) introduced the ability for users to download detailed ad activity reports. These include information such as which ads were shown, who the advertisers were, and when the ads were viewed — a move aimed at boosting transparency.
The rollout of these features indicates Meta’s growing efforts to monetise WhatsApp while maintaining user trust and data privacy. Brands, creators, and businesses may find new opportunities to reach and expand their audiences on the world’s most popular messaging platform.
