Will WhatsApp Become Paid? What Users Need to Know Now

Yes, this is indeed the most concrete change that lies ahead. WhatsApp chief Will Cathcart has confirmed that ads are coming. Initially, probably in the Status area, similar to what is known from Instagram, and possibly also in the new Channels. This means you could encounter advertisements while scrolling through status updates or following channels. For Meta, WhatsApp's parent company, this is an important step to finally monetize the billion-dollar investment in the messenger and to explore new revenue streams.

Do I have to pay for messages?

This is the good news amidst the rumors about "WhatsApp becoming paid": For your private chats, group conversations, and voice calls with friends and family, it is expected that you will not have to pay anything. The core service that most users use daily is to remain free. The discussion about "becoming paid" refers more to other areas.

Which features might cost money?

This is where it gets interesting and speculative. It's not about a basic fee for the app itself. Rather, paid features could primarily become relevant for businesses using WhatsApp Business. Think of advanced customer service tools, newsletter functions, or the integration of shops directly in the app. Also, premium features for regular users that go beyond the standard are at least conceivable, even though no concrete plans have been officially announced yet. The concern that every single message will be charged is unfounded.

What does this mean for you?

The most obvious impact is the advertising in Status or Channels. This could be annoying for some users. The potential paid features affect you as a regular user less for now, unless you use WhatsApp professionally or premium options are introduced that you would like to have. The mere fact of monetization shows, however, that the app is evolving and new ways are being sought to make money.

Time for an alternative?

For some users, the upcoming advertising or the general development could be a reason to look for alternatives. Messengers like Signal or Telegram often advertise with higher privacy or an ad-free experience. Whether a switch is an option for you depends on your personal priorities and the willingness of your environment to switch as well.

Conclusion: WhatsApp will not become *completely* paid in the sense of a basic fee for everyone. Ads are coming, and special or extended features – especially for businesses – could cost money in the future. However, the free chat is likely to remain available to us.

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.