WhatsApp Monetization 2025: Status Ads, Channel Subscriptions & Promoted Channels Unveiled
In June 2025, Meta announced new monetization features for WhatsApp, focusing on the Updates tab, which includes Channels and Status.
These features include:
Status Ads: Businesses can now run ads in WhatsApp’s Status feature, similar to Instagram Stories, prompting user interaction.
These ads are designed to be non-intrusive and are confined to the Updates tab, ensuring private chats remain ad-free
Channel Subscriptions: Creators and businesses can offer paid subscriptions for exclusive content on WhatsApp Channels, with Meta initially taking no revenue share but planning to charge a 10% fee later.
Promoted Channels: Businesses can pay to promote their Channels for greater visibility within the Updates tab.
Meta emphasizes that private conversations will not be used for ad targeting, addressing privacy concerns. The rollout began globally on June 16, 2025, marking a significant shift toward monetizing WhatsApp’s 2 billion+ user base while aiming to preserve its privacy-focused appeal.
These changes have sparked mixed sentiment. Some see it as a strategic move to tap into WhatsApp’s massive user base, with Meta’s stock rising 2-3% in pre-market trading on the announcement.
Others speculate about potential user pushback, with suggestions of an ad-free subscription model similar to YouTube Premium.
