WhatsApp is moving closer to adding ads inside both the Status section and Channels, creating new space for businesses and channel managers to showcase what they offer. These ads are expected to appear within the Updates tab and in the channel listings. Although WhatsApp has positioned privacy at the center of this system, saying that only basic, non-personal details will shape what people see, the platform is also working on giving users ways to limit the kinds of ads reaching them.
The latest beta version for Android, version 2.25.19.14, gives a first look at this approach. It shows WhatsApp developing tools that will allow people to fine-tune how ads appear within their feeds. This would let them manage preferences for ads connected to both Status and Channels.
Image from the beta version, as spotted by WBI, reveals that WhatsApp is preparing to add controls that will help users track ads they’ve come across. These details will live within the Updates tab and will also be found under the main settings menu. Every ad will carry a date to help users trace back when it appeared. This timeline could help people recall certain promotions they’ve seen, whether they’re interested in them or they’d rather stop similar ads in the future.
Besides listing the ads themselves, WhatsApp plans to show a record of advertisers who have recently displayed content to each user. From this list, it will be possible to block specific advertisers altogether, preventing their future ads from showing up in Status or Channels. If someone changes their mind later, the same settings will allow them to bring those advertisers back, so the controls remain flexible.
A key part of this update is a visible reminder within the ad settings. WhatsApp makes it clear there that personal conversations, including voice calls, video chats, private messages, and Status updates, stay protected by full end-to-end encryption. None of this private activity is used to build ad profiles or target content, and it’s not accessible to anyone outside of the conversation.
The system that selects ads focuses on very limited information. It mostly relies on general details like which city or country the user is in, what language the app is set to, which channels are followed, and what kinds of ads have been previously viewed. For those who choose to connect their WhatsApp account with Meta’s broader Accounts Center, some advertising settings from other Meta apps may also shape what ads appear, but this option is turned off by default and can be managed or disconnected at any time.
WhatsApp has also made it clear that phone numbers won’t be handed over to advertisers. Keeping user privacy at the core of the service has remained part of the company’s approach, and these new ad controls seem designed to give people stronger choices over what lands in their feed. The ability to look back at recent ads and decide which advertisers can still reach them could help people feel less interrupted and more in charge of the content shown to them.
The new ad preference tools are still being worked on and are expected to arrive in a later update.
Read next: Human vs. AI Perception: Research Uncovers Striking Differences in Object Recognition
The latest beta version for Android, version 2.25.19.14, gives a first look at this approach. It shows WhatsApp developing tools that will allow people to fine-tune how ads appear within their feeds. This would let them manage preferences for ads connected to both Status and Channels.
Image from the beta version, as spotted by WBI, reveals that WhatsApp is preparing to add controls that will help users track ads they’ve come across. These details will live within the Updates tab and will also be found under the main settings menu. Every ad will carry a date to help users trace back when it appeared. This timeline could help people recall certain promotions they’ve seen, whether they’re interested in them or they’d rather stop similar ads in the future.
Besides listing the ads themselves, WhatsApp plans to show a record of advertisers who have recently displayed content to each user. From this list, it will be possible to block specific advertisers altogether, preventing their future ads from showing up in Status or Channels. If someone changes their mind later, the same settings will allow them to bring those advertisers back, so the controls remain flexible.
A key part of this update is a visible reminder within the ad settings. WhatsApp makes it clear there that personal conversations, including voice calls, video chats, private messages, and Status updates, stay protected by full end-to-end encryption. None of this private activity is used to build ad profiles or target content, and it’s not accessible to anyone outside of the conversation.
The system that selects ads focuses on very limited information. It mostly relies on general details like which city or country the user is in, what language the app is set to, which channels are followed, and what kinds of ads have been previously viewed. For those who choose to connect their WhatsApp account with Meta’s broader Accounts Center, some advertising settings from other Meta apps may also shape what ads appear, but this option is turned off by default and can be managed or disconnected at any time.
WhatsApp has also made it clear that phone numbers won’t be handed over to advertisers. Keeping user privacy at the core of the service has remained part of the company’s approach, and these new ad controls seem designed to give people stronger choices over what lands in their feed. The ability to look back at recent ads and decide which advertisers can still reach them could help people feel less interrupted and more in charge of the content shown to them.
The new ad preference tools are still being worked on and are expected to arrive in a later update.
Read next: Human vs. AI Perception: Research Uncovers Striking Differences in Object Recognition
