monetization Archives

AppWizard

June 18, 2025

Splitgate 2 review

Splitgate 2 is a multiplayer first-person shooter developed and published by 1047 Games, featuring portals in its gameplay. It is free-to-play and offers cosmetic bundles and a battle pass, and is compatible with the Steam Deck. The game includes a class system with three distinct classes, each having unique abilities, but with minimal differences in weaponry. The maps are designed with narrow corridors and expansive plazas but lack depth and character. The monetization strategy includes multiple tiers of season passes and a cosmetic store, which some find excessive. The battle pass system feels uninspired, and the game struggles to differentiate itself in the battle royale genre, leading to a repetitive gameplay experience.

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

WhatsApp to introduce adverts as Meta pushes to monetise messaging app

WhatsApp, with nearly three billion monthly active users, is set to introduce paid advertisements for the first time, moving away from its previous ad-free policy. This initiative, led by its parent company Meta, will include ads in the app's "status" section, similar to Instagram Stories, while ensuring that private conversations remain secure and encrypted. Businesses can promote content in the updates tab and charge users for premium content, with WhatsApp taking a 10 percent commission. Limited metadata, such as location and user interactions with ads, will be shared with advertisers, but sensitive information will remain confidential. Users who do not engage with status updates or channels will not see ads in their inbox. Meta's decision comes amid competition from platforms like TikTok and YouTube and regulatory scrutiny, including a lawsuit from the FTC regarding its acquisition of WhatsApp and Instagram. The introduction of advertising and subscription features aims to tap into WhatsApp's business potential, although it may face mixed reactions from users concerned about privacy.

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

WhatsApp to start showing ads in messaging app; launches new monetisation features

WhatsApp plans to introduce advertisements within its messaging app, specifically in the Updates tab, while ensuring that personal chats remain free of commercial content. This decision is part of parent company Meta Platforms' strategy to generate new revenue streams. WhatsApp reassured users that personal messaging, calls, and statuses will remain end-to-end encrypted and not used for ad targeting. This move marks a departure from the original ad-free vision set by WhatsApp's founders. Advertisements will be based on non-sensitive data, such as age, language, location, and interaction with ads. WhatsApp also unveiled three monetization features, emphasizing the importance of monetizing the app as part of Meta's broader strategy to diversify advertising revenue across its platforms.

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

WhatsApp to start showing ads to users in some parts of the messaging app

WhatsApp will soon introduce ads in the Updates tab of the app, while ensuring that personal messaging experiences remain unchanged and free from advertisements. The ads will be targeted based on user attributes such as age, location, and language, but will not utilize personal messages or calls for targeting. Additionally, WhatsApp has launched two monetization features: Channels, allowing creators to charge subscription fees for exclusive updates, and promotional services for business owners to enhance channel visibility.

AppWizard

June 17, 2025

WhatsApp to start showing ads to users in parts of the messaging app

WhatsApp will introduce advertisements in the Updates tab, affecting approximately 1.5 billion daily users while keeping personal chat spaces free from ads. Ads will be targeted based on age, geographic location, language preferences, channels followed, and user interactions, without compromising end-to-end encryption for personal messages. Additionally, WhatsApp will allow channels to charge subscription fees for exclusive updates and enable business owners to promote their channels. Meta Platforms, WhatsApp's parent company, relies heavily on advertising for revenue, having reported .5 billion in total revenue in 2025, with [openai_gpt model="gpt-4o-mini" prompt="Summarize the content and extract only the fact described in the text bellow. The summary shall NOT include a title, introduction and conclusion. Text: In a notable shift for the popular messaging platform, WhatsApp has announced the introduction of advertisements within its app, a move that aligns with parent company Meta Platforms' ongoing efforts to diversify revenue streams. Starting soon, users will encounter ads specifically in the Updates tab, a feature utilized by approximately 1.5 billion individuals daily. Importantly, these ads will not intrude upon personal chat spaces, ensuring that the core messaging experience remains untouched. Ad Targeting and User Privacy WhatsApp has emphasized that the personal messaging experience will remain intact, with end-to-end encryption safeguarding personal messages, calls, and statuses from being used for ad targeting. Instead, the advertisements will be tailored based on various factors, including: Age Geographic location (country or city) Language preferences Channels followed within the app User interactions with displayed ads This strategic pivot marks a significant departure from the platform's founding principles, as co-founders Jan Koum and Brian Acton initially pledged to keep WhatsApp free from advertisements when it was launched in 2009. Following Facebook's acquisition of WhatsApp in 2014, the original founders departed, leaving Meta to explore monetization avenues. New Revenue Opportunities In addition to the introduction of ads, WhatsApp has unveiled two other advertising features aimed at enhancing monetization. Channels will now have the option to charge users a subscription fee for exclusive updates, providing a new revenue model for content creators. Furthermore, business owners can invest in promoting their channels to attract new users, thereby increasing visibility within the app. Meta Platforms, based in Menlo Park, California, has long relied on advertising as its primary revenue source. In 2025, the company reported a staggering 4.5 billion in total revenue, with a remarkable 0.6 billion derived from advertising alone. As WhatsApp embarks on this new chapter, the integration of ads may play a crucial role in bolstering Meta's financial landscape while navigating the delicate balance between user experience and monetization. " max_tokens="3500" temperature="0.7" top_p="1.0" best_of="1" presence_penalty="0.1" frequency_penalty="frequency_penalty"].6 billion from advertising.

AppWizard

June 8, 2025

This is my favorite video editing app, and for good reason

Megan Ellis from Android Authority reviewed various video editing applications and highlighted her favorite, Edits, which received 29% of votes in a recent poll, while CapCut led with 38%. Edits is entirely free and offers features like easy clip stitching, transitions, audio incorporation, and the ability to generate captions from voiceovers. It allows exports in 4K resolution at 60fps and includes a cutout functionality for tracking objects in videos. However, users need an Instagram account to access Edits, and export times can be slower than desired. Concerns exist about Edits being a Meta product and potential future monetization. Alternatives suggested include InShot, Adobe Express, VN, YouCut, and LightCut.

AppWizard

June 6, 2025

Activision says COD microtransaction ads were accidental test

Activision clarified that the microtransactions in the Loadout menus of Black Ops 6 and Warzone were not intended for public release and were part of an internal test that accidentally went live during the Season 04 update. The company stated that this UI feature test, which revealed select store content, was published in error and has since been removed from the live game.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

EXCLUSIVE: Ads From Verizon, Shell, and Others Ran Next to Explicit Videos on Top Android App

Major brands such as Verizon, Amazon, and Popeyes found their advertisements appearing alongside inappropriate content on the short-form video platform XShorts, which has over a million downloads and promotes itself as a hub for "short and hot videos." Despite its 'Teen' rating, the app has been criticized for hosting sexually suggestive and racially offensive material. Google assessed that XShorts breached its advertising policies, resulting in the suspension of the app's monetization capabilities. Advertisements from brands like Shell, Walgreens, Microsoft, and others were observed alongside explicit content. In response, brands like Roblox and Puck have taken measures to ensure brand safety, while Meta has removed XShorts from their Audience Network for policy violations. The incident highlights the challenges advertisers face in maintaining brand safety on emerging platforms.

AppWizard

June 4, 2025

‘Why are they so greedy’: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 players are in disbelief to find bundle ads but Activision claims it’s simply a ‘UI feature test’ that was published ‘in error’

A player of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 discovered embedded bundle advertisements in the weapon select menu, leading to frustration among the gaming community. Activision removed the ads, stating they were an oversight and part of a test that unintentionally went live. This incident sparked outrage, with players expressing dissatisfaction over rising costs and unresolved bugs in the game. The controversy reflects ongoing concerns about Activision's monetization strategies, including a costly Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crossover and overpriced Squid Game skins, raising questions about the balance between gameplay and corporate profit motives.

AppWizard

June 2, 2025

X Launches XChat Beta: Elon Musk’s Bold New Messaging Platform with Encryption and Disappearing Messages

Elon Musk has introduced XChat, a new messaging platform currently in beta testing for select users, primarily those subscribed to X's paid service. XChat aims to enhance user interaction on X (formerly Twitter) and includes features such as group chats, end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, file sharing, an option to leave messages unread, and a four-digit passcode lock. The launch of XChat coincides with the suspension of a previous encrypted direct messaging service that failed to gain traction. XChat represents a strategic shift towards a more sophisticated messaging framework, aligning with Musk's vision of creating an 'everything app' that integrates social media with secure communication. The success of XChat will depend on user adoption and its integration with existing platform functionalities.