Starting in 2025, also Whatsapp will introduce advertisements within its platform. The news, confirmed by Meta Platforms, marks a historic turning point for the most used messaging app in the world, with over 2 billion active users. But be careful: the advertising will not appear in private chats, but in the section Updates, or rather the States (similar to Instagram Stories).
This new strategy opens up new opportunities for companies, but also raises questions related to the privacy and the evolution of the user experience.
Where will ads be shown on WhatsApp?
The ads on whatsapp will be shown exclusively in the tab Updates/Status, a section consulted every day by over 1.5 billion people. It will work similarly to Instagram Stories: as you scroll through your contacts' updates, ads will appear between one status and another.
Chats, voice calls and private messages will remain completely ad-free.
Advertising on WhatsApp: What changes for privacy?
Meta has guaranteed that End-to-end encryption will remain active on all personal content, including chats, calls, and statuses. No ads will be placed in individual or group conversations.
For the advertising targeting, WhatsApp will only use basic information such as:
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Approximate location (Country or city)
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Device language
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Activities within the States and Channels
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Previous interactions with ads
Sensitive data, such as messages or phone numbers, they will not be used for advertising purposes.
Three New Opportunities for Businesses on WhatsApp
The introduction of advertising is not the only new feature coming. WhatsApp is evolving into a real communication platform for brands and creators, offering three main tools to monetize or promote yourself:
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Advertisements in the States section
Perfect for increasing the brand awareness and reach a large audience natively. -
Sponsored Channels
Public channels can be promoted in the official WhatsApp directory, increasing visibility and subscribers. -
Paid Subscriptions
Companies and content creators will be able to offer exclusive content through monthly subscriptions, keeping most of the revenue (Meta will apply a 10% commission).
Why is WhatsApp focusing on advertising?
WhatsApp's entry into the world ofdigital advertising It is not a coincidence. Meta is looking for new sources of revenue and has already integrated platforms such as Facebook, Instagram is Messenger. WhatsApp represents the final piece, with a commercial potential that is still largely unexplored.
Key data:
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WhatsApp is used by over 200 million businesses.
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The Status section is visited by 1.5 billion users per day.
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Following the announcement, Meta stock gained over 2.5% on the stock exchange.
Opportunities for marketers and advertisers
The introduction of advertising on WhatsApp represents a new marketing opportunity:
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Soft and privacy-friendly target: the data used complies with GDPR and offers geolocalized and contextual targeting.
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Native format: Ads flow seamlessly across states, with very high attention rates.
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Real Engagement: ability to link to company WhatsApp channels, create communities and build loyalty.
For brands already active on Instagram or Facebook, integration with WhatsApp via Meta Business Manager it will be simple and fast.
User concerns: privacy and invasiveness
Despite Meta's assurances, many users are wondering whether WhatsApp will truly remain a private space. The fear is that the introduction of advertising is the first step towards greater monetization of the platform.
However, the company has now reiterated that:
“Personal messages, calls and statuses will remain end-to-end encrypted. Chats will never be flooded with ads.”
The changes will be introduced gradually, and users will have full control over the Channels they choose to follow or support.
A new era for WhatsApp
2025 will be remembered as the year when WhatsApp has opened the doors to advertising. An inevitable move for Meta, who aims to to valorize economically the huge traffic generated by the app, while trying to preserve the user experience.
For businesses, brands and creators, now is the right time to Enter the WhatsApp world strategically:
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Create a Official channel
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Experimenting with the new ADV formats
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Offer valuable content through Subscriptions
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Integrate WhatsApp into your digital communication strategy
Want to integrate WhatsApp into your digital marketing strategy? Contact us now and turn every update into a business opportunity.
