WhatsApp Updates Tab Adds Channel Subscriptions Promoted Channels and Status Ads for Business Growth
- Androbranch NEWS
- Jun 16
- 4 min read
As a strategic initiative to empower businesses and creators, WhatsApp has added to its Updates tab by launching a set of new features for monetization, audience expansion, and improved engagement. These features Channel Subscriptions, Promoted Channels, and Ads in Status are intended to enable admins to form closer bonds with their followers without compromising the fundamental promise of privacy that WhatsApp maintains. Here's what you should know about these revolutionary features and how they support WhatsApp's long-term vision for business.
WhatsApp Channel Subscriptions
One of the biggest additions is the addition of Channel Subscriptions. This enables channel owners to provide special content for a monthly payment. The admin gets to customize the pricing wholly by themselves, and every subscription lasts 30 days. If a subscription is active, a diamond symbol is visible in the app bar of the channel, denoting exclusive access to paying members.
This creates a whole new monetization path for content creators, influencers, and brands. They can now provide premium news, behind-the-scenes experiences, or exclusive announcements accessible only to their most devoted fans. It's a deliberate action reminiscent of best practices from platforms such as Patreon or YouTube Memberships except it's now natively integrated in WhatsApp.
Promoted Channels
Another thrilling addition is Promoted Channels, which allows admins to promote their channels in WhatsApp's channel directory. This allows newer or less popular channels to get more visibility and find potential followers who can appreciate their material.
In the busy environment of digital content, organic growth is often slow. Promoted Channels provide a compelling alternative by putting your channel in front of relevant audiences on WhatsApp. If you have a business, a newsfeed channel, or a specialized community, this feature could gain you incredible momentum.
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Ads in Status
The third significant addition is the introduction of Ads in the Status field of the Updates tab. Though WhatsApp has a reputation for being a privacy-centric messaging app, these ads have been developed with utmost respect for user data.
These ads are displayed based on restricted, non-intrusive data points such as your device language, city or country (through coarse location data), and engagement with WhatsApp channels. For users who link their WhatsApp to Meta's Accounts Center, ad preferences and information from other Meta experiences can further inform ad relevance.
The big takeaway? These ads don't use any of your messages, call logs, or phone numbers to deliver them. End-to-end encryption isn't touched, and WhatsApp keeps your personal messages personal. The platform also never shares or sells your phone number with advertisers.
Meta Verified Integration and WhatsApp’s Vision for Business Tools
These features come on the heels of the earlier launch of Meta Verified on WhatsApp Business. Meta Verified enables businesses to verify themselves and receive a blue-check badge that instills trust among customers. With the launch of optional subscription features such as Channel Subscriptions, WhatsApp is evidently doubling down on its ambitions of being more than a messaging app — it's becoming a hub for growth, marketing, and monetization.
Meta Verified and these new Updates tab features go together. They provide businesses with trust and tools to grow their presence securely while having user trust always at the top.
Updates Tab
WhatsApp ensures that all these features are strictly confined to the Updates tab, thus preserving the clutter-free, ad-free experience in personal chats and group messages. This clean separation ensures that your personal interactions are never interrupted or influenced by business promotions or ad placements.
That means:
✔️ No ads in personal chats
✔️ No promotional pop-ups during calls or video chats
✔️ No change to your community or group experience
This thoughtful integration shows WhatsApp’s commitment to balancing business growth with user experience.
Privacy is Still the Priority
With all these business-focused features being introduced, WhatsApp has made it a point to assure everyone that its privacy-first approach hasn't changed. The app still provides end-to-end encryption for one-to-one messages, groups, and even status updates. None of your private chats' data is used to create ad profiles or target content, and WhatsApp still stands firm against the sharing of phone numbers with ad companies.
This strong privacy promise fosters ongoing trust, allowing users to feel secure while businesses and creators are able to tap into new monetization and growth opportunities.
How to Get Started
Betas interested in businesses and admins would like to know more about how to implement the above features by going to WhatsApp's Business Help Center. The platform offers step-by-step guides and onboarding to activate Meta Verified, Channel Subscription prices, how to promote your channel, or get ready for Status Ads.
If you're a business or content creator looking to build your brand on WhatsApp, now is the ideal time to try these features and understand how they can make your reach and revenue potential soar.
WhatsApp is gradually evolving from just a basic communication app to a business-friendly ecosystem in which trust, privacy, and growth walk hand-in-hand. With Channel Subscriptions, Promoted Channels, and Ads in Status, WhatsApp has introduced meaningful layers of monetization and discoverability without sacrificing what made the platform so successful in the first place.
These features represent a sea change for the app and show Meta's vision of coupling secure communication with scalable business solutions.
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