This tab is where WhatsApp will show you ads
WhatsApp has announced the introduction of advertisements for businesses, along with Channel subscriptions and Promoted Channels, to assist admins, organizations, and businesses in expanding their presence on the platform. Ads will appear in the Status section under the Updates tab.
Channel subscriptions will enable users to support specific channels by paying a monthly fee for exclusive updates. Promoted Channels give administrators the option to increase the visibility of their channel.
The advertisements displayed in Status are intended to help users discover new businesses and facilitate conversations about their products or services. WhatsApp has stated that ads will be confined to the Updates tab, separate from personal chats.
Video: WhatsApp
In 2018, former WhatsApp Vice President Chris Daniels identified advertisements as the “primary monetization mode for the company.” Will Cathcart, head of WhatsApp, later confirmed the continued development of ad implementation.
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WhatsApp states that ads in Status or Channels will utilize limited user information, including country, city, language, followed Channels, and ad interaction habits. Ad preferences and data from users’ other Meta accounts linked to the Accounts Centre will also be used.
WhatsApp has emphasized, ” [It] will never sell or share your phone number to advertisers.” The company also asserts that personal messages, calls, and groups will not be used for ad personalization.