WhatsApp has started showing ads in status updates and promoted channels. It should be noted that Meta announced the introduction of advertising to WhatsApp in June 2025. The messaging app has now started showing ads to a limited number of users in the beta version of Android devices.
By the way, Meta has promised that ads will not be added to private chats, but after this update, WhatsApp has now become an ad-serving service like Instagram and Facebook.
Also Read: WhatsApp scam alert: Hackers sending fake messages to steal data
It should be noted that Meta (the company s name was Facebook at the time) bought WhatsApp in 2014 for $19 billion, and now, 11 years later, advertising is being made a part of this messaging platform.
According to a report by WaBetaInfo, certain users in the beta version of Android are seeing ads in status updates, which clearly state sponsored posts. These ads will be displayed similar to the ads shown in Instagram Stories, meaning ads will appear while scrolling through status updates.
📝 WhatsApp beta for iOS 25.20.10.78: what s new?
— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) July 20, 2025
WhatsApp is rolling out Status Ads and Promoted Channels, bringing sponsored content directly into the Updates tab, and it s available to some beta testers!https://t.co/tIezTXzST8 pic.twitter.com/HzC0C1POg6
The report stated that since these betas are not yet visible to all users, this indicates that they have currently been introduced by the company to specific individuals.
In June, WhatsApp announced the introduction of three advertising formats: status update ads, promoted channels, and channel subscription promotions. According to a statement issued by Meta at this time, the advertising mechanism will consider various elements such as country or city, language, and channels (which you may be following), while data on the ads to which users respond will also be considered.
However, the company said that user identification data such as phone numbers, messages, calls, and groups will not be used to show ads.
