WhatsApp is getting ads. After 11 years of being ad-free, Meta (the company that owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) has finally decided to bring advertising to WhatsApp. This is a big shift for an app that has always focused on privacy and simple messaging.

Meta bought WhatsApp back in 2014 for $19 billion. Since then, the app has grown to over 3 billion monthly users. But unlike other Meta apps like Facebook and Instagram, WhatsApp has never had ads. That’s about to change.

In this article, we’ll break down this big update

• What kind of ads are coming to WhatsApp
• Where you will see them
• How this affects you as a user
• What it means for businesses
• Why Meta is doing this now
• And what could happen next

A Quick History of WhatsApp

WhatsApp started in 2009. The two founders, Jan Koum and Brian Acton, wanted to create a simple, secure, and private messaging app. It didn’t have ads, it didn’t collect too much data, and it was all about keeping communication easy and private.

In 2014, Facebook (now called Meta) bought WhatsApp for $19 billion. This was one of the biggest tech deals ever. People were worried that Facebook would add ads to WhatsApp right away. But that didn’t happen at least not until now.

For many years, WhatsApp stayed ad-free. Instead of ads, Meta made money by charging businesses for tools that help them talk to customers through the app. This model brought in some revenue, but not nearly as much as Facebook and Instagram ads do.

Meta’s New Plan: Ads on WhatsApp

On a Monday in June 2025, Meta officially announced that ads are coming to WhatsApp. This is a big deal because it changes the way people use the app and how businesses can reach their audience.

Let’s take a closer look at what exactly is changing.

1. Status Ads in the Updates Tab

WhatsApp has a section called the “Updates” tab. This is where users can post “Statuses”photos, videos, or text updates that disappear after 24 hours. It works just like Instagram Stories.

Now, Meta will allow businesses to post ads in this Updates tab. These will be called Status Ads.

These ads will:

• Appear in the “Status” area, not in your private chats
• Look similar to regular statuses
• Let users tap and message the business directly through WhatsApp

The goal is to keep your private conversations free from ads while giving businesses a way to reach people without being too intrusive.

2. Ads in WhatsApp Channels

In 2023, WhatsApp introduced something called Channels. These are broadcast-style feeds where people or businesses can send updates to many followers at once. It’s like a one-way chat.

Now, Meta will allow two new things in Channels:

• Search Ads: If you search for a Channel, businesses can pay to appear at the top of the results.
• Paid Subscriptions: Some Channels will offer special content only for paid subscribers.

WhatsApp will let businesses charge users a monthly fee to access these special updates. Meta will not take a cut at first but plans to take 10% of that subscription money in the future.

What This Means for WhatsApp Users

If you’re a regular WhatsApp user, you might be wondering, “Will my chats have ads now?”

The answer is no.

Your one-on-one chats and group chats will stay private and ad-free. WhatsApp’s encryption system will continue to protect your conversations. Ads will only appear in the Updates tab and in Channels.

Let’s break down what will change and what won’t:

What’s Changing:

• You might see ads in the Updates tab (in Statuses)
• You might see ads when searching for Channels
• Some Channels might ask you to pay to see extra content

What’s Not Changing:

• Your personal messages are still private and encrypted
• There will be no ads inside your chats
• You can still use WhatsApp to call and text without interruptions

Meta says it wants to be very careful not to annoy users. That’s why the ads are limited to certain areas of the app.

Why Is Meta Adding Ads to WhatsApp?

Meta’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg has big plans for WhatsApp. He wants it to be the next big business tool like email or customer support chat. He has said that messaging between people and businesses should be “the next pillar” of Meta’s business.

Here’s why Meta is making this move:

1. Huge User Base

WhatsApp has over 3 billion monthly users. That’s more than Instagram and Facebook. More than 100 million people in the U.S. use WhatsApp now. With so many users, there’s a huge opportunity to make money.

2. Business Messaging Is Growing

More and more businesses are using WhatsApp to talk to customers. These “click-to-message” ads already exist on Facebook and Instagram. When you tap on them, they take you to WhatsApp to chat with a brand. Now, Meta wants to bring that kind of advertising directly into WhatsApp.

3. Pressure to Make Money

Meta is under pressure to grow its profits. The company is also dealing with an antitrust case from the U.S. government, which is watching how Meta uses its power. Showing that WhatsApp can make money might help Meta defend its business decisions.

How Will Ads Work on WhatsApp?

Meta says it will use “very basic information” to decide which ads to show you. This includes:

• Your country and city
• Your device type
• Your language
• Who you follow on WhatsApp
• How you interact with other ads

This means the ads won’t be super personalized like on Facebook, but they will still be somewhat targeted.

For example, if you live in the U.S. and speak English, you might see ads from local businesses in your area.

Meta says they are doing this to protect your privacy. The company promises that chats and calls will stay encrypted.

Also Read: Opportunity Score Now Available to All Meta Advertisers

What Are Channels and How Do They Work?

If you haven’t used Channels yet, here’s a simple explanation:

• Channels are a way for people and businesses to send updates to many followers.
• You don’t chat with the Channel; you just see their posts.
• You can follow Channels to get updates on news, deals, or entertainment.
• It’s separate from your personal chats.

Now, Channels will have:

• Search Ads: Paid promotions when you look for Channels
• Subscriptions: Some Channels will charge you for exclusive posts

This gives influencers, creators, and companies a new way to earn money using WhatsApp.

What Do Businesses Get from This?

For businesses, this is a huge opportunity. Now, companies can:

• Run ads inside WhatsApp itself
• Get more people to message them directly
• Use Channels to build a loyal following
• Offer subscriptions for exclusive updates

This means that WhatsApp is turning into a real business tool, not just a messaging app.

If you’re a small business, this can help you:

• Reach local customers
• Advertise sales or events
• Talk directly with people who are interested in your products

What Could Happen Next?

This is just the beginning. Meta might expand advertising in WhatsApp even more. For now, they are being careful and only putting ads in non-intrusive places. But if users respond well, more features might come.

Possible future changes include:

• More detailed ad targeting
• Sponsored messages
• In-app shopping experiences

WhatsApp could turn into a platform where you don’t just chat you also shop, learn, and follow creators.

Concerns from Users and Privacy Advocates

Not everyone is happy about this. Some people are worried that this is the start of WhatsApp becoming like Facebook with lots of ads and less privacy.

WhatsApp’s original founders were against ads. They left the company years ago because they didn’t agree with Meta’s direction. They believed ads didn’t belong in private messaging apps.

Meta says it will respect privacy and keep chats secure. But users will have to watch closely to see how things change over time.

Final Thoughts: WhatsApp’s New Chapter

The move to add ads to WhatsApp marks a big change in the app’s history. It’s a new chapter for both Meta and the 3 billion people who use WhatsApp every month.

Here’s a quick summary:

• Ads are coming to the Updates tab and Channels
• Private messages will stay encrypted and ad-free
• Businesses get new tools to reach users
• Users will start seeing more promotions, but only in certain parts of the app

If Meta can balance advertising with privacy, WhatsApp could become a major player in business messaging and mobile marketing.

For now, the ads are just getting started. But they could be the first step toward a very different WhatsApp in the future.

Stay tuned.