WhatsApp users will soon need to grapple with in-app ads

Meta has unveiled plans to roll out three new advertising features within its popular messaging platform, WhatsApp. The tech giant, which also oversees Facebook and Instagram, assures users that these ads will not intrude upon their private conversations. According to a statement from the company, “We have Stories on Instagram and Stories on WhatsApp, and we now have a way for businesses to promote themselves in both, and we think that’s a good thing.”

How will ads be shown to users?

Mr. Cathcart elaborated on the implementation of these ads, emphasizing that users who prefer to avoid advertisements or business-oriented channels will not be compelled to engage with them. “I want to stress this won’t affect your inbox,” he clarified. “If you’re only using WhatsApp for messaging, you’re not going to see this.”

The ‘Updates’ section, which is already operational in the UK, has been described by Mr. Cathcart as “not particularly popular” in that region, although it is gaining traction in other areas globally. While users will not have the option to remove the ‘Channels’ or ‘Updates’ buttons, the WhatsApp team believes this design choice does not hinder user experience. “You can’t delete the Channels button, you can’t delete the Updates button, you can’t delete the calls button,” he noted. “We also don’t want to have a service that has lots of settings… that’s complexity too.”

To tailor the advertising experience, WhatsApp will utilize personal information such as the user’s country, city, and language, along with their interactions with ads and followed channels. Users who have linked their WhatsApp accounts to Facebook or Instagram can expect to see more personalized advertisements, aligning with the customization options available on other social media platforms.

AppWizard
WhatsApp users will soon need to grapple with in-app ads