This is a major shift in the WhatsApp ecosystem: 16 years after its launch, a new chapter is opening. Meta has confirmed the gradual introduction of sponsored formats inside the app, WhatsApp Ads.
The aim: to let brands grow their conversational marketing with a media lever inside the world's second largest social network.
For brands, it is an unprecedented opportunity to reach one of the most personal channels in daily life, right inside WhatsApp's native environment, without depending on an external website or an email, while respecting the new rules of the game.
Source: WhatsApp Ads, Meta Business
What is it?
WhatsApp is introducing a new advertising format that allows a company or organisation to:
- Create a WhatsApp channel (news content, offers, information)
- Promote that channel through ads shown inside WhatsApp
- Target users by country, language and interest (through the Meta ecosystem)
The user can subscribe in one tap, without leaving the app.
Why this is a turning point
Until now, brands mainly used WhatsApp for:
- Customer service (with the WhatsApp Business API)
- Acquisition (via click-to-chat)
- Retention (catalogue, notifications, automation)
With this new feature, WhatsApp also becomes a media distribution channel. You can now:
- Build an owned audience, without depending on a social algorithm, with the same approach as email
- Send messages at scale, without going through email or SMS campaigns
- Reach your customers where they are active: on their phone, inside WhatsApp
How it works
The advertising solution will roll out gradually country by country: here's hoping Switzerland is among the first. The ads will appear in WhatsApp's "Status" tab.
What can your brand use it for?
- Product news
- Regular commercial offers
- Educational or inspirational content
- Exclusive news and launches
- Ambassador programmes or private communities
What Sandra can put in place for you
- Creation, configuration and branding of your WhatsApp channel
- Editorial advice to structure your content strategy
- Connection with your Meta Ads campaigns
- Performance tracking and automated nurturing
Alongside your conversational WhatsApp channel, your broadcast channel becomes your direct news feed to your customers.
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Conversations that convert
A 30-minute demo is enough to see what your WhatsApp channel can produce. In Geneva or by video call.