WhatsApp changes its rules: Paid subscriptions and advertisements
WhatsApp, which is used by over two billion people worldwide, is preparing for significant changes that will affect some users, as announced by Meta, the parent company of the app.
The most notable of these changes is the introduction of paid subscriptions in the "Aktuelles" (News) section. This section currently allows users to view the status of contacts for free, and that will remain the case. However, the new addition is the "Channel Subscriptions" option, where influencers and companies will be able to offer exclusive content to subscribers for a monthly fee.
The monthly fees for these subscriptions have not yet been determined, but media reports indicate that channel owners will be able to set the price themselves. The model is similar to what exists on platforms like Instagram and YouTube.
In addition, Meta plans to allow businesses to promote their channels on WhatsApp through paid ads that appear in the "Aktuelles" section. These ads will be shown directly to users in this section.
As for private chats, there are no changes at the moment. Personal conversations remain free and will not contain ads. However, businesses will need to pay a fee to obtain a 'Premium' account in the WhatsApp Business service designed for businesses.