WhatsAppS latest beta for iOS, version 25.20.10.78, is rolling out a notable update that introduces advertisements within the Status section and enables the promotion of channels. These features are currently being tested with a select group of users and will be progressively made available to a wider audience.
The introduction of “ADS status” aims to provide businesses and creators with a new avenue to connect with users.These advertisements will be interspersed among regular user statuses, clearly marked, and offer users the ability to easily skip or block specific advertisers. While this approach aims to maintain user control, the change has been met with mixed reactions.
Promoted channels are designed to enhance the discoverability of channels within WhatsApp‘s channel directory. Thru paid promotion, selected channels will receive higher placement in search results, potentially leading to increased follower acquisition for businesses and creators.
WhatsApp has stated that these advertising and promoted content features are entirely separate from private conversations and do not compromise communication security.End-to-end encryption for messages and calls remains in place, and personal data will not be shared with advertisers. Despite these assurances, the move has raised concerns among some users.
The rollout of these new functionalities is being conducted in phases to ensure operational stability and, according to the company, to safeguard user privacy. Users will have the ability to review their ad history and manage their preferences directly within the request’s settings. The long-term impact of these changes on WhatsApp’s user experience and its position as an advertising platform remains to be seen.
