WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has started showing ads in its Status and Channels tabs, leading to significant changes in the messenger market.
Ads in WhatsApp: New Opportunities
WhatsApp, under the management of Meta Platforms, Inc., officially launched ads in its Status and Channels tabs on June 16, 2025. This change represents a major monetization shift for the messenger, which previously did not include advertising content.
User Privacy Concerns and Shift to Alternatives
The transition to ads has raised concerns among users, especially those who value their privacy. This has led to users considering alternative platforms like Telegram that emphasize data protection and ad-free experiences.
History of Advertising Attempts in WhatsApp
Previous attempts by Meta to introduce ads in WhatsApp, including the 2018 proposal, were met with user resistance and were postponed due to privacy concerns. While implementing ads may increase revenue, experts warn of the risk of user migration to ad-free platforms.
The rollout of ads in WhatsApp marks an important shift in the company's strategy and creates new challenges in the messenger market, particularly regarding user data protection.
