WhatsApp recently shared the news that 1 billion people are using their app daily, and this indeed a phenomenal number. But the eternal question which has always excited tech observers was that, how will WhatsApp monetize this mega user base?After giving a hint last year, WhatsApp has finally revealed their plan #1 for monetization; and from the looks of it, it seems pretty exciting; at least for businesses.
Welcome to the next level of business communication, via WhatsApp!
WhatsApp’s Plan #1 For Making Money: Paid Chats
The idea is pretty simple: Verified businesses on WhatsApp would be now able to talk with end users, and provide customer support to their customers, using WhatsApp’s platform.
And the bill would be paid by these businesses, instead of the end user.
In their blog post, announcing this new strategy, they have said, “WhatsApp is exploring ways for you to communicate with the businesses that matter to you.”
Here are the main pointers, which describes the process:
- Verified businesses will now green get a tick badge, something like Facebook and Twitter’s verified accounts: clip_image002. Hence, when a normal WhatsApp user starts chatting with a green badge holding business number, then it means it’s a business chat, paid by that business.
- The colour within the chat shall be yellow, which is another indicator for business chat.
- These messages cannot be deleted
- In case you have not stored the business number with a name, then the name which business has chosen for themselves will be visible to the end user
- And yes, users can also block these businesses from contacting them
- WhatsApp Monetization: Future Plans
- Last year, WhatsApp’s co-founder and CEO Jan Koum had provided us with a hint of monetization plans for them.
Enabling ‘business communication’ was mentioned, besides, providing some real time examples of this new strategy:
Airlines informing their users about delayed flights
Bank customer informing the bank about a fraud transaction. And more.
They have finally rolled out this feature. It is now active for some selected businesses on pilot basis, we can actually experience it first hand, and also know how it can be best used.
But yes, one thing is clear: WhatsApp will not put advertisements, ever, for monetizing their billion odd daily users.
Koum had said that time: “Naturally, people might wonder how we plan to keep WhatsApp running without subscription fees and if today’s announcement means we’re introducing third-party ads. The answer is no.”
What other methods can be used by WhatsApp to monetize their user base? Do let us know by commenting right here!
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