Good News for WhatsApp Users: Meta Plans Revenue-Generating Features for Businesses

Islamabad: Meta-owned WhatsApp is set to introduce new features aimed at helping businesses generate revenue through the platform. In the coming months, the popular messaging app will commercially enable its “Updates” tab, which is already used by users to follow posts from businesses, media channels, and celebrities.
The centerpiece of this initiative is a new subscription model, allowing channel admins to offer exclusive content to followers in exchange for a monthly subscription fee. According to Nikila Srinivasan, Meta’s Vice President of Product Management, this feature will empower channel owners to provide timely, exclusive updates to their most engaged followers while earning income.
Meta clarified that general access to WhatsApp Channels will remain free, but admins will be allowed to charge a subscription fee within a defined pricing range.
In addition to subscriptions, channel owners will also be able to promote posts and run ads through Meta’s Ads Manager. Similar to tools available on Facebook and Instagram, this will allow businesses to set marketing budgets and target audiences more effectively.
Many businesses are already leveraging WhatsApp to strengthen customer engagement. A May survey revealed that well-known retail brands like John Lewis, Next, B&Q, and M&S frequently use chatbots on WhatsApp to meet growing customer expectations.
This move marks a significant step in transforming WhatsApp from a messaging platform into a monetizable business tool.