WhatsApp is testing ads in Status and paid channel subscriptions, all inside the Updates tab. Private messages remain encrypted and ad-free.

After years of providing free services without any bells attached, WhatsApp is now going to start showing ads on the popular chat app. To be clear, users will only see ads on the Status screen — the app’s take on Instagram’s Stories.

WhatsApp is finally getting adsThey'll appear in the Updates tab, integrated with Statuses and ChannelsRegular chats won't be affected by the chnages, and are still private It’s official, WhatsApp’s latest update is bringing ads to the platform.