this post was submitted on 16 Jun 2025
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WhatsApp is officially getting ads (www.theverge.com)
submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by MazonnaCara89@lemmy.ml to c/technology@lemmy.world
209 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

WhatsApp is rolling out ads. In an update on Monday, Meta announced that it will now show ads from businesses through its Stories-like status feature.

Meta says it will tailor the ads to your interests by using “limited” information, including your country or city, language, the channels you follow, and how you interact with ads on the platform. You can also change your ad preferences from Meta’s Accounts Center.

This isn’t the only change Meta is making to WhatsApp. The company will also start showing promoted channels when you click on the Explore button to find new ones to follow. It’s also rolling out the ability to subscribe to channels to “receive exclusive updates” as well.

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[–] Auth@lemmy.world 50 points 16 hours ago (10 children)

  • provide free app at a loss

  • grow massive user base and market share

  • squeeze your userbase for every cent they're worth

Every single time. We got to solve the funding issue some how, I dont want to live in a future run by ads.

[–] bonjour@mander.xyz 10 points 15 hours ago (2 children)

WhatsApp was not free and already had a massive user base before Facebook bought it.

Hope this will turn people to alternatives.

[–] SheenSquelcher@lemm.ee 3 points 6 hours ago

I'd forgotten about this!!

[–] Darleys_Brew@lemmy.ml 3 points 12 hours ago (1 children)

Wasn’t it like a quid to sign up?

[–] bonjour@mander.xyz 3 points 11 hours ago

Yeah it was something like that, very low price compared to what SMS were charged for.

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