If you’re one of the 1.5 billion people using WhatsApp every day, there’s some news you’ll want to hear, especially if you follow creators or run a small business. Meta, WhatsApp’s parent company, is finally pulling back the curtain on how it plans to make money from the app.
But don’t panic. This doesn’t mean your private chats are suddenly going to be flooded with ads. Meta is actually being very careful about keeping your messaging experience just the way you like it, clean, private, and personal.
So what’s changing, exactly? Let’s break it down.
What’s New on WhatsApp?
Meta is rolling out three new features inside WhatsApp’s Updates tab, that is the section separate from your chats, where you follow Channels and see Status updates.
Here’s what’s coming:
Channel SubscriptionsThink of this like Patreon, but built into WhatsApp. You can now subscribe to your favorite creators, news outlets, or even sports teams, paying a small monthly fee for exclusive content.
Promoted Channels
Businesses and creators can now pay to promote their Channels, so they pop up more often and are easier to find. It’s a bit like boosting a post on Instagram or Facebook.
Ads in Status
Yup, ads are coming to the Status feature. These will look and feel a lot like Instagram Stories ads, tap one, and you’ll be taken straight to a chat with the business.
And here’s the important part: none of this will touch your personal messages. Your private and group chats remain ad-free, end-to-end encrypted, and entirely your own. Everything new is tucked away in the Updates tab, which, good news, you can turn off completely in your settings if it’s not your vibe.
Why Is Meta Doing This?
Meta didn’t pay billions for WhatsApp back in 2014 just to keep it a free chat app forever.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been hinting for a while now that messaging is the next big thing for Meta’s revenue. Facebook and Instagram already bring in cash through ads and shopping, so WhatsApp is the next piece of the puzzle.
But unlike the other apps, WhatsApp has always been about simplicity and privacy. So Meta’s trying something new here: monetize the platform without ruining it. These new tools give creators and small businesses ways to grow and earn without interrupting their day-to-day chats.
Will This Change How You Use WhatsApp?
If you’re just here to message your friends, honestly, not much will change. No weird pop-ups. No ads in your DMs.
But if you browse Status updates or follow Channels, you might notice a few new things, like an ad here and there or the option to subscribe to exclusive posts from a creator you like.
And if your WhatsApp is linked to your Facebook or Instagram accounts, some of those ads might start to feel a little more tailored to your interests, based on what you like, where you live, and who you follow.
What About Privacy?
Meta knows this is the big question, and they’re trying to reassure users right off the bat.
Your messages, calls, and group chats? Still end-to-end encrypted. Your phone number? Not shared with advertisers. Your chat content? Not scanned for ad targeting.
Instead, ads will be based on general stuff like your country, language, and the Channels you choose to follow. So no, you won’t suddenly see an ad for that one thing you mentioned to a friend yesterday.
What’s Next?
These features are rolling out gradually, so don’t be surprised if they haven’t shown up on your app just yet. Businesses and creators interested in jumping on the train can already start exploring options via WhatsApp Business.
For Meta, this is one of the boldest steps it’s taken with WhatsApp. It’s a balancing act: bring in money, boost discovery, help small businesses thrive, all without annoying the everyday user.
Whether you’re just here for the group chats or you’re building a following through Channels, this update is likely to change how people use WhatsApp in the months ahead.
Bottom line?
WhatsApp is stepping into a new era, one where creators and businesses can finally earn on the platform, while the rest of us can keep chatting in peace.
