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Asif Mohammad Sovon
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Asif Mohammad Sovon @asif_mohammad_sovon

Meet Asif Mohammad Sovon, an IT Assistant in the Bangladesh Air Force and a tech writer for Fileion....

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Jun 17, 2025

WhatsApp Finally Welcomes Ads—but Keeps Chats Private

WhatsApp Finally Welcomes Ads—but Keeps Chats Private Fileion.Com
WhatsApp is rolling out advertisements for the first time. Starting mid-June, users will begin seeing ads within the Updates tab, where “Status” posts and Channels live. Crucially, private chats remain ad-free and end‑to‑end encrypted, ensuring your personal conversations stay secure.
This move represents Meta’s biggest direct monetization push yet. With 1.5 billion people using Updates daily, Meta’s head of business messaging, Nikila Srinivasan, says the goal is to support discovery without intruding on chats:
“We’ve been very deliberate about building this Updates tab, which is an optional space within WhatsApp”.

What users will see

  • Status ads: Similar to Instagram Stories, ads will blend into Status streams.
  • Promoted Channels: Creators and businesses can pay to boost visibility in the Channels directory.
  • Channel subscriptions: Paid Channels offering exclusive content will appear, though Meta won’t take a cut for now.
Ads use only basic, non-personal data—like age, location, language, followed channels, and interaction behavior—to determine placement. WhatsApp and Meta emphasize that phone numbers and chat content won’t be used or shared.

A major strategic shift

Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has framed messaging as “the next major pillar” after Facebook and Instagram. Business Insider notes this marks a significant shift from WhatsApp's origin as an ad-free service.
Barron’s reports that the announcement sent Meta stock up ~2.8%, as investors view it as a new revenue source. Oppenheimer analyst Jason Helfstein noted that tapping WhatsApp's user base could drive substantial ad income, if metrics are solid.
Tech analysts say this move brings WhatsApp closer to platforms like WeChat, with built-in commerce and messaging.

Privacy is still key

While WhatsApp once vowed not to show ads in chats, executives reassured users that this rollout is limited to updates. Meta’s FAQ states that personal chat details remain encrypted and off‑limits for advertising.
WhatsApp head Will Cathcart added:
“This is not in your inbox… you have to go to that tab to actually encounter these experiences”.

What does this mean for businesses

  • More visibility: Promoted channels help brands stand out.
  • Subscription model: Creators can monetize exclusive content directly.
  • Targeted ads: Ads in Updates create new lead funnels.
Nikila Srinivasan explains:
“For a lot of small businesses that run their entire business on WhatsApp, this is a great way to get discovered”.
Businesses are also tapping new AI-driven tools across Meta platforms to optimize messaging campaigns.

Mixed reactions expected

The decision breaks WhatsApp’s long-held ad-free image, so responses may vary. Privacy-minded users value the ad-free inbox, but others view ads as a reasonable trade for free service.

Meta’s balancing act:

  • Privacy fans worry this marks the start of deeper tracking.
  • Advertisers see this as a powerful new reach channel.
  • Creators and small businesses gain monetization tools without high costs.

Final thoughts

Meta is betting that asking users to visit Updates—rather than inserting ads into chats—will preserve trust. As the rollout progresses, its impact on user experience and ad effectiveness will be telling.
 
What do you think? Will ads in WhatsApp Updates be a helpful business feature, or an unwanted annoyance? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned for more on this story.
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MD Shahariar Jaman Siam | user at Fileion.Com

MD Shahariar Jaman Siam
MD Shahariar Jaman Siam | Fileion.Com

MD Shahariar Jaman Siam @sjsiam

MD Shahariar Jaman Siam is the CEO and the founder of Fileion.Com & NearFile.Com. He is a professio...

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1 day ago
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WhatsApp used to be the only messaging app I could rely on — no ads, no privacy concerns.
But it looks like that’s about to change. With ads being introduced, it likely means more user tracking and personalized targeting for revenue.

So… what do you think? Is it time we build our own privacy-focused messaging app? 👀👀

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