Facebook have confirmed that WhatsApp will be introducing adverts into the app next year. Facebook took over WhatsApp in 2014 and have revealed the new update at its annual Facebook Marketing Summit in the Netherlands.
The WhatsApp ads have been shown to take up most of the screen of a smartphone and allows users to find out more information about the advert by swiping up.
When WhatsApp first launched its creators promised it would not sell its users’ data or put ads on the platform. When WhatsApp had the Facebook takeover it experienced a huge user growth, it now has 1.5 billion users from 180 countries.
WhatsApp will bring Stories Ads in its status product in 2020. #FMS19 pic.twitter.com/OI3TWMmfKj
— Olivier Ponteville (@Olivier_Ptv) May 21, 2019
This advertising plan could backfire and result in many users leaving the app and using rival apps such as Telegram.
WhatsApp will also have a feature for businesses which will be richer messaging format options.
Coming Soon to @WhatsApp…
– WhatsApp Status (Stories) to get Ads in 2020
– WhatsApp for Businesses to get richer messaging format options
– WhatsApp product catalog to be integrated with existing Facebook Business Manager catalog
h/t + 📸 @Olivier_Ptv
at #FMS19 pic.twitter.com/Z5LsbADNbP— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) May 21, 2019
Many people are already expression they will abandon their accounts. One user wrote: ‘Nice. I’m sure half the users will switch over to Telegram.’
Another Twitter user added: ‘Alright, well, goodbye WhatsApp. ‘Why the heck does Facebook think this is a good idea? People use WhatsApp for professional contacts and Facebook for pleasure. ‘I don’t want ads. I’d rather pay $50 a year to use it ad-free, same as always. Idiots.’
