WhatsApp Begins Global Rollout of Promoted Channels and Status Ads

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WhatsApp has begun rolling out Promoted Channels and Status ads globally, introducing advertising into the app’s Updates tab for the first time as part of Meta’s broader effort to monetize the messaging platform.

In an official announcement shared on X, WhatsApp confirmed that Promoted Channels and ads in Status are now available worldwide, meaning users will gradually see sponsored content inside the Updates tab.

The rollout marks a major shift for WhatsApp, which historically avoided advertising since its launch.

Ads Limited to the Updates Tab

According to WhatsApp, advertisements will appear only within the Updates tab, which includes Status and Channels, leaving private chats, calls, and group conversations unchanged.

Status ads are displayed between regular Status updates in a full-screen format similar to Stories ads on other Meta platforms. Businesses can use these placements to promote products or services and allow users to initiate conversations directly from the ad experience.

WhatsApp says the personal messaging experience remains private, with end-to-end encryption continuing to protect messages, calls, and shared media.

Users can also control the visibility of advertising in the app. If a promoted post feels intrusive, users can open the three-dot menu to hide the ad or block the advertiser entirely.

Blocking a business prevents its promotional content from appearing again in the Updates tab, while additional ad preferences and interaction controls can be managed through WhatsApp’s settings, giving users direct oversight of their advertising experience.

Promoted Channels Improve Discovery

Alongside Status ads, WhatsApp is introducing Promoted Channels, enabling creators, organizations, and businesses to pay for increased visibility within the Channels directory.

Promoted listings appear highlighted to help users discover new content while clearly indicating paid placement. The feature expands WhatsApp Channels beyond a broadcast tool into a discovery-driven platform similar to creator ecosystems seen on other social apps.

A Strategic Monetization Shift

Advertising inside the Updates tab represents one of WhatsApp’s most significant strategic changes. Meta has long explored ways to generate revenue from WhatsApp without disrupting private communication, ultimately choosing discovery surfaces rather than chat interfaces.

This is why ads are intentionally separated from messaging spaces. It reinforces WhatsApp’s privacy positioning while opening new growth opportunities for businesses and creators.

Gradual Rollout

Since these features are rolling out in phases, availability may vary depending on the region and app version. Users who primarily use WhatsApp for messaging may notice little change beyond occasional sponsored Status updates and promoted channel suggestions.

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