WhatsApp rolls out Status ads and Promoted Channels globally
The expansion adds WhatsApp to Meta’s wider ad push
WhatsApp has announced the global rollout of Status ads and Promoted Channels. The company announced the rollout in a post on X, saying users can now see them in the Updates tab. This marks a wider push into advertising inside the app. Until now, sponsored content had been limited. Last June, the Meta-owned messaging platform said it would begin showing ads for the first time, but only inside the Updates tab.
By September, the company rolled out click-to-message ads in Status. The format allowed advertisers to create ads that click directly into WhatsApp using the Status placement. When a user taps the ad, they are sent straight into a chat with the business. For instance, a user sees a Status ad in the Updates tab, taps it, and is redirected to a direct message thread with the advertiser.
Now, the company is widening that access. Advertisers can reach users directly inside the Updates tab, which includes both Status and Channels. The ads will not appear in private chats.
Where the ads appear and how they work
The new placements sit inside the Updates tab. This is the section where users view Status posts and follow Channels from businesses, publishers, and creators.
Status ads appear between regular Status updates. They are clearly labeled as sponsored posts and sit alongside organic content from contacts. Users can swipe past them just as they would with any other Status update.
According to WhatsApp, Status ads do not interrupt private messages. Instead, they appear in the same flow where users already check updates from friends, brands, and creators.
What Promoted Channels add for brands and creators
Promoted Channels are also now live globally. Channels, which WhatsApp introduced earlier, allow organizations, publishers, and creators to broadcast messages to followers. With Promoted Channels, certain Channels are highlighted to help users discover new organizations and creators.
When users browse Channels, promoted options may surface to allow them to find new accounts to follow. Instead of relying only on organic search or links shared elsewhere, brands can pay to have their Channels shown.
Rollout details and availability
According to WhatsApp, Promoted Channels and Status ads are now available globally for users who install the latest versions of the app on Android and iOS from official app stores. The rollout may take time to reach every account worldwide. Users who do not see the features immediately are advised to check for updates.
Meta is adding WhatsApp to its monetization strategy
Meta is positioning WhatsApp within its broader revenue model. For years, the platform has operated differently from Meta’s other major platforms. While Facebook and Instagram have long relied on advertising as their core business model, WhatsApp focused on messaging and business tools, with limited direct in-app ads.
That is now changing. Meta is formally integrating WhatsApp into its ads business. The move allows the company to monetize a platform that already has a massive global user base and high daily engagement.
Recap
What are WhatsApp Status ads and where do they appear?
WhatsApp Status ads are sponsored posts that appear between regular Status updates in the Updates tab. They are clearly labeled, do not appear in private chats, and users can swipe past them just like organic Status content.
What are WhatsApp Promoted Channels?
Promoted Channels are paid placements that highlight businesses, creators, and publishers in WhatsApp's Channels discovery section. Brands pay to surface their Channel to users who may not have found it through organic search or shared links.
Are WhatsApp ads available globally on Android and iOS?
Yes, WhatsApp Status ads and Promoted Channels are now available globally on the latest versions of the app for both Android and iOS. The rollout may take time to reach all accounts, so users should check for app updates.