The user experience on Meta-owned messaging application WhatsApp is about to look a whole lot different with the addition of ads.

The ads will now appear in the Updates tab, Status, and Channels sections of the app, but they will not appear in the messaging portion of the platform. 

Meta announced the move on Monday, touting it as a relationship-building and growth area for businesses. The company noted that on a daily basis, over 1.5 billion users visit the Status updates or view the Channels sections of the messaging platform.

WhatsApp users who have used the Stories features on Facebook and/or Instagram will be familiar with the ad execution when they see the ads appear in the Status section of the platform.

According to The Verge, Meta said the ad experience on WhatsApp will incorporate limited information about a user, including their location (country or city), language, channels followed, and how they interact with ads on the platform.

These ad preferences can be changed in Meta’s Account Center. 

In ensuring that personal communications within the platform remain private, WhatsApp continues to emphasize that “No one outside of the chat, not even WhatsApp, can see, hear, or share personal messages, calls, or statuses. This means that none of this info can be used to show people ads.”

WhatsApp has been steadily building up to the moment. Purchased by Meta in February 2014 for approximately $19 billion, it has gradually attracted businesses to the platform through WhatsApp Business.

This is an extension of the app, enabling companies to create a profile and communicate directly with customers in real-time, offering updates and answering questions. They are also able to send vouchers and offers, and beta-test marketing messaging.

Meta, through its various ad businesses, made over $160 million in ad revenue in 2024.