If you’re a business owner in India, chances are your customers are already on WhatsApp — and so are your competitors. With over 500 million users in India alone, WhatsApp has become a primary platform for sales, service, and customer conversations.
But until recently, businesses could only advertise indirectly on WhatsApp — by running Click-to-WhatsApp ads through Facebook and Instagram. Now, that’s changing.
Meta has officially introduced new ad placements within WhatsApp itself, helping people discover your business right inside the app.
Here’s everything you need to know about WhatsApp Ads and how your business can benefit from them.
Table of Contents
All the WhatsApp Ad Formats (As of 2025)
1. Click-to-WhatsApp Ads (Existing)
These ads appear on Facebook and Instagram. When a user clicks on the ad, it opens a chat with your business in WhatsApp.
Best for: Lead generation, product inquiries, customer service.
2. WhatsApp Ads in Status (New)
Your ad appears between user Status updates (similar to Instagram Stories). These short, engaging ads include a CTA to start a chat instantly.
Best for: Product launches, offers, event promotions.
3. Promoted WhatsApp Channels (New)
WhatsApp Channels are one-way broadcast spaces where businesses can share updates. You can now boost your Channel in the WhatsApp directory to gain visibility and followers.
Best for: Content marketing, brand updates, building a community.
4. Ads in the Updates Tab (Coming Soon)
All new ad formats will appear under the Updates tab in WhatsApp — the section where users check Status and browse Channels.
Best for: Brand awareness and discovery within WhatsApp.
Why These New Ads Matter for Indian Businesses
- India has the largest WhatsApp user base in the world
- Users check the Updates tab daily for Status and Channel content
- Businesses can now be discovered within WhatsApp itself — not just through external platforms
- Seamless lead generation: Users can chat instantly without switching apps
How to Use WhatsApp Ads Effectively
Promote Time-Sensitive Offers
Run Status ads during your peak sales season or launch a limited-time campaign that encourages instant action.
Build a Loyal Follower Base
Use Promoted Channels to grow a list of followers you can continuously engage — just like email marketing, but with 95%+ open rates.
Combine Ads with Smart Automation
Link your WhatsApp ads to a chatbot or lead qualification tool to handle inquiries instantly, even after business hours.
Target Hyper-Local Audiences
Use Meta Ads Manager to target specific locations or interests, but direct the traffic to WhatsApp where conversions are higher.
Important: Privacy Still Comes First
Your personal messages, calls, and Status updates remain end-to-end encrypted. Ads only appear in public spaces like Status and Channels — ensuring user trust stays intact.
Coming Soon: Full Rollout in India
While these new formats — especially ads inside WhatsApp — are not fully rolled out yet, India is one of the first countries where Meta is testing this feature.
WhatsApp is no longer just a messaging app. It’s becoming a powerful business discovery platform, right inside the conversations your customers are already having.
At Pixel Studios, we help brands like yours turn chat apps into growth channels. From campaign planning to creative execution and chatbot integration, we’re here to help you win with WhatsApp.
Ready to be discovered on WhatsApp?
Let’s make your brand visible, one chat at a time.
(or)
