WhatsApp, the free messaging app used by over two billion people, is apparently working on introducing ads to the platform. This was confirmed by Will Cathcart, the app’s head, in an interview with Brazilian media, but based on what he said, the ads likely won’t be too intrusive.
Cathcart said that the company has no plans to implement ads in users’ inbox, but the paid features might be introduced to other parts of the app. Back in September, he denied reports that claimed Meta was working on putting ads in the main inbox, but now clarifies that ads might appear in Channels or Status.
For example, channels might charge people to subscribe, they might be exclusive to paid members or the owners might want to promote the channel. But, no, we won’t put ads in your inbox,” said the head of the Meta-owned chat app. The company talked about putting ads in Status years ago, but the plan was later scrapped in 2020.
Last year, a leaked Meta internal memo revealed that Meta wants to build paid features as part of a new monetisation scheme. While no such premium plan has been introduced by WhatsApp, Meta’s VP of monetisation has said that the company has “no plans to let people pay to turn off ads”.
(Source: Folha)
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