Meta is testing a new way for creators to earn on WhatsApp. The messaging app will soon allow channel owners to sell their exclusive content through a system that mirrors Instagram's ‘subscribers only’ feature. The update is currently in beta and is expected to roll out in the coming months.
Users will have free access to content updates, while they can choose to pay for existing paid content. This approach reflects Meta’s ongoing push to turn its messaging apps into creator-friendly ecosystems.
The beta version allows content creators to establish subscription costs and restrict their content to paid users. Users will continue to receive complimentary updates while WhatsApp plans to develop tools that assist users in identifying free content and paid content. The system provides content creators with a monetization method that enables them to keep their regular audience while protecting their essential content.
WhatsApp plans to display both paid subscriber numbers and total followers to all users, even those who haven't subscribed. The aim is to help audiences gauge the "popularity and perceived value of a channel before subscribing." For creators, this visibility serves as social proof that helps them obtain financial support from their audience while building trust with their viewers.
The monetization process for creators who use subscription services must follow WhatsApp’s content rules and adhere to the service's terms. The current beta tests indicate that the add-on will launch within the next few months, although the official launch date has yet to be announced.
The implementation of paid channels will transform WhatsApp from a basic messaging service into a platform that enables users to send messages and share media content, while creators can earn revenue from their work.
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