WhatsApp might soon show ads in some parts of the app

WhatsApp, a hugely popular messaging app, has maintained its status as a free platform for users ever since it became a part of Meta. The app has achieved remarkable dominance in various markets, with its largest user base hailing from India, followed by Indonesia and Brazil.

In a recent interview with the Brazilian publication Folha de S.Paulo as pointed out by 9to5Mac, Will Cathcart, the president of WhatsApp, addressed recent speculations about the company incorporating ads into the app. He dismissed claims that ads would appear in the inbox, stating that such a move is not under consideration. According to Cathcart, the company deems this advertising model inappropriate, recognizing that users opening their inboxes do not wish to see advertisements.

While ruling out inbox ads, Cathcart did, however, hint at the possibility of Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, featuring ads in other sections of the app such as statuses or the newly introduced "channels". Additionally, he suggested that some channels might introduce a subscription fee in the future or opt for channel promotion to enhance their visibility.

Should WhatsApp decide to introduce ads in the future, it might potentially provoke dissatisfaction among a significant portion of its user base. The essence of a messaging app lies in privacy, and the inclusion of ads in a personal messaging space may rightfully be perceived as an unwelcome intrusion.