Washington (Monday, June 16, 2025): WhatsApp, long known as an ad-free messaging platform, is now preparing to introduce advertisements, marking a significant shift under its parent company, Meta.

According to the company, ads will initially be displayed only on the “Status” screen, similar to how ads appear between stories on Instagram.

Users will start seeing ads while viewing WhatsApp Status updates, and ad selection will be based on various factors such as country, language, and channels followed by the user.

Meta has clarified that personal data like messages, calls, group chats, or phone numbers will not be used for ad targeting. However, if a user links their WhatsApp account with Meta’s “Account Center”, their preferences from linked platforms could be used for more personalized advertising.

Meta says this new feature will help promote both businesses and user channels on WhatsApp.

Currently, WhatsApp earns revenue through its WhatsApp Business services and “Click-to-WhatsApp” ads. In the future, Meta plans to explore search ads and subscription models for additional revenue streams.

According to Alice Newton-Rex, Vice President of WhatsApp, these short-form ads will become a key source of income, with ad-related features expected to be rolled out gradually worldwide in the coming months.

It is worth noting that Meta (formerly Facebook) acquired WhatsApp in 2014 for $19 billion, and now, nearly 11 years later, ads are set to become an official part of the platform.