Meta is adding three big features to WhatsApp’s Updates tab, changing how creators and businesses grow and earn on the platform.
The Updates tab, home to Status and Channels, will now support Channel Subscriptions, Promoted Channels, and Ads in Status.
Meta says this is part of a long-term plan to build business tools that don’t interrupt private chats. “We believe the Updates tab is the right place to introduce that,” the company explained.
More than 1.5 billion people use the Updates tab daily to check friends’ Status or follow Channels. With that kind of traffic, Meta sees a huge opportunity to expand its business model.
The Channel Subscriptions feature will let users pay monthly to access exclusive content from their favorite creators, news outlets, or teams. This offers a new way for content creators to earn directly on WhatsApp.
With Promoted Channels, WhatsApp will start suggesting new Channels to users based on their interests. This gives creators and brands a paid tool to boost visibility.
Then there’s Ads in Status, a format that allows businesses to place targeted ads inside the Status section, much like Instagram Stories. Users can click on the ads to chat with businesses directly.
Meta insists that none of these features will compromise user privacy. Personal messages, calls, and group chats remain end-to-end encrypted. That includes Status updates.
“We will never sell or share your phone number to advertisers,” the company stated. Instead, ad targeting will use basic data like location, language, and Channel activity.
If you’ve linked your WhatsApp to Meta’s Accounts Center, ad preferences from your other accounts may also help shape what you see.
These features will roll out gradually. Channel admins and businesses can already find more information through official WhatsApp Business resources.
Meta’s latest updates show that WhatsApp is no longer just for chatting. It’s becoming a space for creators and businesses to grow and get paid.
