WhatsApp Introduces Ads in Status, Paid Channel Subscriptions, and Promotions — Major Changes Rolled Out in Updates Tab

New Delhi, 16th June 2025: Popular instant messaging platform WhatsApp has announced a major overhaul with three significant updates aimed at enhancing user engagement and business outreach. These changes, focused entirely on the Updates tab, include ads in the Status section, paid subscriptions for channels, and promoted channels, marking a shift towards monetization and content discovery within the app.

Key Changes Announced by WhatsApp

1. Advertisements in Status Updates

In a move that may alter the user experience, WhatsApp will now begin displaying ads within the Status section — similar to how Instagram Stories and Facebook Stories function. These personalized ads will be based on users’ content preferences and engagement patterns.

While WhatsApp claims this will help users discover relevant businesses, it has sparked concerns about a potential dip in the personal feel of the platform.

“The aim is to help users connect with businesses more seamlessly through personalized recommendations,” WhatsApp stated.

2. Paid Channel Subscriptions

WhatsApp is also introducing subscription-based channels. Users can now pay a monthly fee to access exclusive updates from their favorite creators or businesses.

For instance, a food content channel might offer general recipe tips for free, while premium subscribers could access detailed cooking tutorials or behind-the-scenes content.

This move brings WhatsApp closer to platforms like YouTube and Telegram that already support creator monetization through subscriptions.

3. Promoted Channels

To improve content discoverability, channel admins will soon be able to promote their channels directly on WhatsApp. This feature is expected to help lesser-known creators and businesses reach a wider audience.

Details on pricing for promotions or how the algorithm will display them are yet to be disclosed.

Privacy Concerns Addressed

Following these announcements, many users raised concerns about the possible impact on chat privacy. WhatsApp has clarified that these changes are limited to the Updates tab only, and do not affect personal or group chats.

“Chats, voice calls, and video calls remain end-to-end encrypted. We do not read or listen to any user conversations,” WhatsApp reassured.

The Chats tab will remain ad-free, preserving its core function as a secure, private messaging space.

Impact and Expectations

These updates signify WhatsApp’s shift toward becoming a broader content and business platform, beyond just messaging. The platform is positioning itself to compete more directly with content-driven apps like Instagram, Telegram, and YouTube.

While the new features aim to empower businesses and creators, they also reflect the increasing commercialization of digital platforms once known for their ad-free user experience.