WhatsApp confirms integration of ads in the app soon

Rumors had already been making rounds about WhatsApp to soon introduce advertisements in the app, much to the disappointment of the users. The feature has now been confirmed and will soon be integrated into the app.

WhatsApp’s parent company Facebook recently confirmed the feature at the annual Facebook Marketing Summit in Netherlands, saying that the feature will be introduced in the popular messaging app by 2020.

WhatsApp will bring Stories Ads in its status product in 2020. #FMS19 pic.twitter.com/OI3TWMmfKj

— Olivier Ponteville (@Olivier_Ptv) May 21, 2019

As per 9to5Google, some promos presented at the event showed what appeared to be ads within the WhatsApp Stories Section. Rather than showing a contact profile picture and name when one selects a story, the name of the advertiser is shown instead, with their advert.

Just like in Instagram, when a person swipes up the ad, they will be redirected to a promotional page or website linked with the brand.

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

As per The Sun, it is not yet known what kind of data will be used to target ads to the users, but critics have suggested that the introduction of ads could possibly undermine the privacy and security of WhatsApp users.