In a recent interview with Brazilian publication Folha de S. Paulo, WhatsApp Head Will Cathcart revealed that the messaging giant is considering the inclusion of advertisements in certain sections of the app. However, he emphatically clarified that ads would not infiltrate the main inbox or chats, alleviating concerns for users who value an ad-free messaging experience. The potential placement of ads, according to Cathcart, could occur in other areas, specifically in channels or statuses.

In an interview with Folha de S. Paulo (in Brazilian) Cathcart stated Cathcart assured users that the core messaging experience, comprising the inbox and chat interactions, would remain devoid of ads. He stated, “The reason I qualified the answer is that there could be ads in other places — channels or statuses. For example, channels might charge people to subscribe, they might be exclusive to paid members, or the owners might want to promote the channel. But no, we won’t place ads in the Inbox.”

This revelation follows a report from two months ago, where WhatsApp refuted claims that it intended to introduce ads to monetize its service. The clarification by Cathcart seems to align with the company’s commitment to maintaining a clean and unintrusive messaging environment for its users.

While the specific sections where ads might appear, such as Status or Channels, were acknowledged, no timeline or detailed plans for the implementation of this potential advertising strategy were disclosed by WhatsApp.

It’s worth noting that WhatsApp has explored the idea of integrating ads in the past. Reports in 2019 suggested plans to introduce ads through the Status feature, akin to stories on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. The platform, currently boasting over 2 billion users, monetizes through business messaging features, enabling companies to connect with WhatsApp’s vast user base.

In August 2020, reports were indicating WhatsApp’s intention to display ads by leveraging phone numbers to align users’ Facebook and WhatsApp accounts, delivering targeted advertisements. The proposed timeline for this move was contingent upon the completion of the unification of WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger.

As WhatsApp navigates the delicate balance between user experience and monetization, users can expect the company to carefully implement any ad-related features, ensuring that they complement the app’s functionalities without compromising its core appeal.