Ads in Status:
How it works: Businesses will be able to place targeted ads within the Status feature (WhatsApp's version of Stories), similar to Instagram Stories. These ads will allow users to discover new products or services and chat directly with advertisers.
Monetization Technique: This is advertising revenue for WhatsApp but presents a new avenue for businesses to get discovered and acquire new leads directly through the Status feed.
III. Other Potential & Indirect Monetization
Affiliate Marketing:
Share affiliate links for products or services relevant to your audience within WhatsApp messages (ensure transparency and disclose affiliate status). You earn a commission on sales made through your link.
Important: Be mindful of not whatsapp number list spamming and always provide value alongside affiliate links.
Promote and manage sign-ups for paid online events directly through your WhatsApp list. Send payment links, reminders, and access details via WhatsApp.
Selling Digital Products:
Promote and sell your own digital products (e-books, online courses, templates) by providing purchase links and delivering the content via WhatsApp.
Key Considerations for Monetization:
WhatsApp Business Policy: Always, always adhere to WhatsApp's Business Messaging Policy. Violations can lead to account suspension. Ensure explicit opt-in for all communications.
Value Proposition: Users on WhatsApp expect personal, timely, and valuable communication. If you start spamming or sending irrelevant content, you will lose subscribers.
Privacy: Emphasize that personal chats remain end-to-end encrypted. For Channels and Status ads, Meta states they use limited data (like country, language, followed channels) for ad targeting, and will not sell or share phone numbers with advertisers.