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WhatsApp is officially getting ads (www.theverge.com)

submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

124 comments fedilink hide all child comments

WhatsApp is rolling out ads. In an update on Monday, Meta announced that it will now show ads from businesses through its Stories-like status feature.

Meta says it will tailor the ads to your interests by using “limited” information, including your country or city, language, the channels you follow, and how you interact with ads on the platform. You can also change your ad preferences from Meta’s Accounts Center.

This isn’t the only change Meta is making to WhatsApp. The company will also start showing promoted channels when you click on the Explore button to find new ones to follow. It’s also rolling out the ability to subscribe to channels to “receive exclusive updates” as well.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 6 days ago

Get Signal.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

Soon: WhatsApp revanced

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago (1 children)

The problem is there are very few alternatives that will work for grandma and her friends, especially open source alternatives. This is why WhatsApp and LINE are stupidly popular.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I had to use LINE for work a few years ago to communicate with the Philippines. Awful app.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Awful depends on your point of view. Is it easy to message and call your friends and make group chats for free? The answer is yes. The fact that the interface sucks and is ad-ridden is irrelevant to older aunties and uncles.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 week ago

Nothing better than having a private conversation with my friends and having some dude lean in to remind us that Brawndo, the thirst mutilator, has electrolytes.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 week ago

Doctorow is always right.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 week ago (3 children)

I hate how my country (Brazil) depends so much on Whatsapp. If I could, I would uninstall that app immediately.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Same in Germany.

I do believe it's better than using iMessage for example but it's undoubtedly rubbish.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 week ago

Same here in UK. So many people think of it like email. A universal communication system. They can't see the problem with it being a single, closed, for profit, provider. Now Meta feels people are locked in, they will be finding out. But they still won't see the problem until it ratcheted to really bad. Like frogs in boiling water.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

Same thing here in Italy

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

Explains why I've started seeing ads for WhatsApp, which was really bizarre

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

You mean WhatsCrap?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

OH whatsSNAP

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

Never used it for personal ends. But I'm curious to see if all the companies using as a work tool will divert from it.

Signal.

And IF I learn how to run Jammi, it will be my default communication application.

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