WhatsApp to Introduce Ads and Paid Subscriptions in Updates Tab: What Users Need to Know
WhatsApp has revealed its plans to start displaying ads in the Updates tab, which is where you can find channels and status updates.
In a statement released on Monday, June 16, WhatsApp also mentioned that it will roll out paid channel subscriptions and promoted content.
“Today, we’re excited to introduce some new features for our Updates tab, which is home to both Channels and Status. Over the past two years, we’ve been working hard to make this tab the go-to place for discovering something new on WhatsApp, and it’s now being used by 1.5 billion people every day.
“We’re encouraged by the enthusiasm and also want to help admins, organizations, and businesses grow on WhatsApp,” the statement read.
According to WhatsApp, once the new features are rolled out, users will have the chance to subscribe to their favorite channels for a monthly fee, giving them access to exclusive updates.
On top of that, channel admins will be able to promote their content, helping it gain more visibility and reach a broader audience.
Additionally, ads will start showing up in status updates, providing businesses with a great opportunity to showcase their products or services.
WhatsApp has promised users that these new features will be limited to the updates tab and won’t interfere with personal messaging.
“These new features will appear only on the Updates tab, away from your personal chats. This means if you only use WhatsApp to chat with friends and loved ones there is no change to your experience at all,” the statement added.
Addressing privacy concerns, WhatsApp reiterated its commitment to encryption and data protection.
“Like everything we do at WhatsApp, we’ve built these features in the most private way possible. Your personal messages, calls, and statuses remain end-to-end encrypted, meaning no one (not even us) can see or hear them,” the statement continued.
To make sure ads are relevant to users, WhatsApp announced that it will use a limited amount of data, including users’ locations, language preferences, the channels they follow, and how they interact with the ads they see.
Users who have connected their WhatsApp to the Meta Accounts Center might also come across ads tailored to their preferences across various Meta platforms.
However, the company reassured users that their sensitive information will stay protected.
“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.
“We’ve been talking about our plans to build a business that does not interrupt your personal chats for years and we believe the Updates tab is the right place for these new features to work,” the statement concluded.
WhatsApp to Introduce Ads and Paid Subscriptions in Updates Tab: What Users Need to Know
