Latest
AI
Amazon
Apps
Biotech & Health
Climate
Cloud Computing
Commerce
Crypto
Enterprise
EVs
Fintech
Fundraising
Gadgets
Gaming
Google
Government & Policy
Hardware
Instagram
Layoffs
Media & Entertainment
Meta
Microsoft
Privacy
Robotics
Security
Social
Space
Startups
TikTok
Transportation
Venture
Staff
Events
Startup Battlefield
StrictlyVC
Newsletters
Podcasts
Videos
Partner Content
TechCrunch Brand Studio
Crunchboard
Contact Us
WhatsApp’s cat-and-mouse game with ads continues. While the company is not planning to show ads in the main inbox, it could still show ads in Status — the app’s Stories-like feature — and channels.
In an interview with Brazilian media, WhatsApp’s head Will Cathcart said the company is not planning to show any ads in the main inbox, but could show ads in other places.
In September, Cathcart categorically denied a report from Financial Times saying that the Meta-owned chat app plans to show ads. Talking to Brazilian media, he said that showing ads in the inbox is not the right model.
“The reason I qualified [sic] the answer is that there could be ads in other places — channels or status. 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 put ads in your inbox,” Cathcart said.
WhatsApp had talked about putting ads in Status a few years ago, but the company never rolled it out. Though Cathcart brought it up as a possibility, nothing has yet rolled out. A Meta spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch it’s not currently testing Status ads in any country. However, the company didn’t provide a statement on the matter.
Earlier this year, when WhatsApp launched its broadcast feature Channels in June, the company said it was exploring tools like promotion in the Channels directory. Meta hasn’t provided any details about when or if it plans to launch ads in either product, Status or Channels.
Until now, WhatsApp, which is used by more than 2 billion people across the world, has relied on its business messaging and click-to-WhatsApp ads on other platforms like Facebook for revenue.
Topics
Ivan covers global consumer tech developments at TechCrunch. He is based out of India and has previously worked at publications including Huffington Post and The Next Web.
You can contact or verify outreach from Ivan by emailing im@ivanmehta.com or via encrypted message at ivan.42 on Signal.
Tickets are live at the lowest rates of the year. Save up to $680 on your pass now.
Meet investors. Discover your next portfolio company. Hear from 250+ tech leaders, dive into 200+ sessions, and explore 300+ startups building what’s next. Don’t miss these one-time savings.
Fintech CEO and Forbes 30 Under 30 alum has been charged for alleged fraud
Meet the new European unicorns of 2026
Nvidia CEO pushes back against report that his company’s $100B OpenAI investment has stalled
OpenClaw’s AI assistants are now building their own social network
Elon Musk’s SpaceX, Tesla, and xAI in talks to merge, according to reports
Waymo robotaxi hits a child near an elementary school in Santa Monica
Tesla is killing off the Model S and Model X
© 2025 TechCrunch Media LLC.
