WhatsApp, owned by Meta, is introducing three new features to its Updates tab, which houses Channels and Status. With a daily user base of 1.5 billion checking this section, the platform is expanding its business tools and monetization options for creators. These new features, launching on June 16, include Channel Subscriptions, Promoted Channels, and Ads in Status. The company emphasizes that these additions aim to support businesses and channel administrators without impacting the privacy of user messages or the core chat experience. If you primarily use WhatsApp for personal communication, these changes won’t alter your experience.
The new Channel Subscriptions feature allows channel administrators to charge followers for exclusive content. Creators or organizations can now offer special content behind a paywall with monthly subscription fees. A diamond icon will denote premium content. Subscriptions are valid for 30 days, and administrators have control over pricing. This gives fans access to premium content while providing creators with a way to earn revenue directly within the app.
Promoted Channels will give channel administrators the option to advertise their channels within WhatsApp’s directory. This feature is designed to help new channels gain visibility and reach a larger audience. Moreover, WhatsApp will now show ads within the Status section of the Updates tab. These ads will allow businesses to showcase products or offers, with users able to interact directly with the business. WhatsApp assures that all ads will be limited to the Updates tab, with personal chats, group messages, and calls remaining ad-free, maintaining its commitment to keeping monetization separate from private conversations.
The company reiterates that personal messages, calls, and statuses remain end-to-end encrypted. WhatsApp will not sell or share user phone numbers with advertisers. Ad targeting will use basic information like location, language, and followed channels. If a user has linked WhatsApp with Meta’s Accounts Center, ad preferences from other Meta apps might also be utilized. Meta had previously launched Meta Verified for WhatsApp Business accounts. These new features extend optional subscriptions, but for individual creators and public channels. The new features are being rolled out gradually and will be available worldwide in the coming weeks.