WhatsApp charged almost one euro for the app in 2013. And it is on its way to doing so again.
WhatsApp, now owned by Meta, is reportedly testing a subscription model that would allow users to pay a monthly fee to remove advertisements. This move signals a potential return to a paid model for the popular messaging application, a strategy it abandoned over a decade ago. The latest beta versions of WhatsApp for Android have revealed pricing information and options to manage such subscriptions, indicating a significant shift in the app's monetization strategy. The detected subscription pricing suggests a monthly fee, with specific figures being filtered from the app's code and interface. This new approach aims to offer users an ad-free experience within Status and Channels, a contrast to the current free model where ads are integrated. The evolution from its initial paid model to its current freemium structure, including the introduction of ads in certain features, highlights a continuous effort by Meta to explore revenue streams for WhatsApp. This development will affect a vast global user base accustomed to WhatsApp's free service. The introduction of a paid option for an ad-free experience could impact user adoption and satisfaction, particularly in markets where affordability is a key consideration. The move also reflects broader trends in digital platforms seeking sustainable revenue beyond advertising alone, potentially influencing how other messaging and social media services monetize their platforms in the future.
Curated and translated by Europe Digital for our multilingual European audience.
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