WhatsApp UPDATE: News on shock change coming in 2019
WHATSAPP fans have been given an update about a shock change coming in 2019.
WhatsApp users will see one big change coming to the chat app in 2019.
WhatsApp is undoubtedly the world’s most popular chat app, with more than 1.5 billion users each and every month.
Last year WhatsApp fans saw plenty of changes, including the introduction of stickers and group video calling among other new features.
But this year WhatsApp is set to introduce one of – if not the – biggest change to the Facebook-owned chat app.
It has previously been revealed that in 2019 WhatsApp will introduce adverts for the first time in its history.
WhatsApp’ famously started out as an ad-free app back in 2009 but that’s all about to change.
The adverts will appear in the Status page but so far WhatsApp has not confirmed when these ads will start appearing.
However, one exec has recently spoken out about when ads could be coming to the chat app.
Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg discussed when adverts could be coming to WhatsApp during Facebook’s quarter four 2018 earnings call.
And from the sounds of it the WhatsApp ads don’t look like they’ll be having an imminent launch.
As reported in a post by the Hindustan Times, Sandberg said: “So WhatsApp, we don’t have ads in Stories. It’s not available. Ads are something that’s more of a future thing for WhatsApp”.
“We remain very focused on the consumer experience there. We do have the WhatsApp Business app, which is helping businesses connect with consumers, and that’s growing well but that monetisation opportunity is not available.”
The latest comments come after last year it was revealed that adverts were coming to WhatsApp.
Speaking to Forbes, a WhatsApp spokesperson confirmed that the chat app would begin displaying adverts in its Status feature in 2019.
It marks a huge first for WhatsApp, with the chat app having previously prided itself on remaining ad-free.