In June, Meta announced that monetization was coming to WhatsApp. Now, it’s official: the rollout has begun. Creators and business owners around the world are starting to see new tools inside the app that allow them to promote content, charge followers, and even earn from ads.
What’s Live Right Now?
Here are the features that are already rolling out across regions:
- Ads in the Updates/Status Tab: Users are beginning to see subtle ad placements in the Status feed—similar to Instagram Stories.
- Promoted Channels: You can now pay to boost your WhatsApp Channel’s visibility inside the Updates tab.
- Paid Channel Subscriptions: Creators can charge followers a monthly fee for exclusive content shared inside a channel.
What This Means for You:
WhatsApp has over 2 billion users. With these tools, Meta is opening up a brand-new stream of income for content creators, small business owners, and entrepreneurs who already use the app to engage with audiences.
Here’s how each feature can help you grow and monetize:
1. Ads in Status = Passive Visibility
You may not control the ads yet, but they signal Meta’s intention to turn WhatsApp into a creator-first platform. This opens up future ad-sharing models (like Instagram Reels Bonuses or YouTube AdSense) and gives brands space to advertise inside user attention zones.
2. Promoted Channels = Growth Boost
If you’ve created a Channel for your business, content, or community, you can now pay to have it promoted inside WhatsApp’s Updates tab—reaching more people organically using WhatsApp itself.
3. Paid Subscriptions = Recurring Income
Now you can offer premium access to tips, early product drops, exclusive lessons, or behind-the-scenes content—all inside a WhatsApp Channel.
Where It’s Rolling Out:
Meta confirmed the rollout started globally in mid-June 2025. While some users in regions like India, Brazil, and the U.S. are already seeing changes, others (including Nigeria) should begin seeing these features appear gradually over the next few weeks.
To check if it’s available for you:
- Update your WhatsApp to the latest version.
- Visit the Updates tab and look for ad placements or channel promotion tools.
- Check Channel Settings to see if you can enable subscriptions.
How to Get Ready:
If you’re a content creator or small business owner, now’s the time to start planning:
- Create a free WhatsApp Channel and begin sharing consistent value-driven content.
- Segment your content into free vs. paid tiers (so you're ready when subscriptions are enabled).
- Design a plan for channel promotion—especially if you want to grow fast.
- Watch how other creators use these tools and learn from them.
What’s Still Protected?
Meta has confirmed that your private messages and call logs will not be used to serve ads. Chats remain end-to-end encrypted, and even your phone number will not be shared with advertisers. Ads will be based only on limited data like the channels you follow, language settings, and location.
This is a major shift for WhatsApp. It’s no longer just a chat app—it’s becoming a platform for creators, educators, and business owners to earn and grow.
Even if you don’t see all the features yet, now’s the time to position yourself for when they do arrive in your region.
Stay Updated:
We’ll continue to share step-by-step guides, examples, and monetization tips as these features roll out further—especially in Nigeria and other key markets.
Have you seen these features on your WhatsApp yet? Drop a comment or tag us with your experience.
Sources: These updates were officially confirmed by Meta on June 16, 2025, and have been reported by:
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