WhatsApp on Monday announced that it will soon introduce advertisements and other paid features in a major shift for the messaging app, which has mostly remained ad-free since its launch. The move marks WhatsApp’s most significant step toward monetisation since it was acquired by Meta in 2014.

The major changes are focused on WhatsApp Channels and Status. For the first time, Channel owners will have the option to charge a monthly subscription fee, giving followers access to exclusive updates. Additionally, a new Promoted Channels feature will allow people to pay to increase their channel’s visibility.

The company stressed that users who only use WhatsApp for personal messaging will see no changes to their experience, as all new features are confined to the Updates tab that can

WHATSAPP has announced plans for a brand new feature that requires users to pay fees. The popular messaging app has revealed a wave of changes coming soon. However, WhatsApp has assured its

WhatsApp is introducing three new advertising features in a global rollout, marking a significant step towards monetisation

The cofounders of WhatsApp resisted ads in the app for years, including after the company was acquired by Meta for $22 billion in 2014. Brian Acton and Jan Koum left the company in 2017 and 2018, respectively, and on Monday Meta introduced ads in the “Status” feature as well as sponsored Channels in the the “Updates” tab of WhatsApp.

WhatsApp is testing ads in Status and paid channel subscriptions, all inside the Updates tab. Private messages remain encrypted and ad-free.

The Meta-owned platform has just issued an alert telling its fans not to miss out on a swathe of new features that are aimed at improving the messaging experience.