Meta Introduces Ads in WhatsApp Status to Help Businesses Drive Direct Conversations

Meta Introduces Ads in WhatsApp Status to Help Businesses Drive Direct Conversations

Meta announced the rollout of ads in WhatsApp Status, giving businesses a new way to reach customers where they are most engaged. With this update, advertisers can now place ads in the Updates tab – the home of Status and Channels – separate from personal chats and calls. When users click on an ad, they are instantly directed to a WhatsApp chat with the business, creating a seamless path from discovery to conversation.

This new placement combines WhatsApp’s popularity with Meta’s ad tools, offering businesses a direct channel to spark customer interactions and drive measurable results.

Getting Started: Business Setup

To run ads in WhatsApp Status, businesses must first:

  • Create a WhatsApp Business account via the WhatsApp Business App or the WhatsApp Business API.

  • Link their WhatsApp account to a Facebook Page or connect their WhatsApp number to their business portfolio.

  • Ensure they have admin access to their Page for campaign management.

Creating Ads for WhatsApp Status

Businesses can create WhatsApp Status ads directly in Meta Ads Manager by following these steps:

  1. Start a New Campaign

    • Select Traffic or Engagement as the campaign objective.

    • Name the campaign and review details.

Also Read: xpln.ai and Comcast Advertising Launch ‘Focus’ Media Package

  1. Configure the Ad Set

    • Under Conversion, choose Message destinations and select WhatsApp.

    • Set the performance goal to Maximize number of conversations.

    • Define your audience using options like:

      • Location (country, state, province, or city)

      • Age (including “Unknown age” on WhatsApp users, with the option to exclude)

      • Language preferences

    • Use Advantage+ audience for maximum reach and delivery.

  2. Select Placements

    • By default, Advantage+ placements will include WhatsApp Status.

    • Businesses can also choose manual placements, noting that Instagram Stories must be included alongside WhatsApp Status for campaign eligibility.

  3. Design the Ad

    • Upload a single image or video (up to 30 seconds).

    • Add captions, profile groups, and scheduled publishing times.

    • Build a message template that users will see once they click through to WhatsApp.

  4. Publish and Monitor

    • After review and approval, ads will appear in WhatsApp Status.

    • Advertisers can track performance metrics such as impressions, clicks, and conversations started directly in Ads Manager.

Why It Matters

By placing ads in WhatsApp Status, businesses can meet customers in one of the app’s most engaging spaces while driving direct, real-time interactions. This integration reduces friction, enabling users to move from viewing a branded message to chatting with a business in just one click.

SOURCE: Facebook