Meta is rolling out advertising and paid features in WhatsApp’s Updates tab, marking a formal break from its long-standing 'no ads' stance.

WhatsApp ads rollout begins globally with Status ads and paid channels. Meta ends 11-year ad-free messaging experience for 3 billion users worldwide.

Meta announced that it is adding ads and subscriptions to its WhatsApp messaging app in a June 16 press release. The social media giant, primarily known as the parent company of Facebook, said that the changes will roll out over the next few months and that they are intended to help businesses and organizations grow.