Meta Expands WhatsApp Payments in India, Eyes Monetization Amid Falling Ad Revenue

Meta expands WhatsApp payment options in India
Move shows Meta looking for ways to monetize WhatsApp messaging app
WhatsApp payments could drive profits for Meta
Success in India could lead to rollout in other markets
Comes as Meta struggles with falling ad revenue amid competition

barrons.com

Relevant topic timeline:

8/25/2023

16 WhatsApp Business Features Worth Exploring

WhatsApp Business has introduced several new features in 2023, including business profiles, screen sharing, call scheduling, catalogs, and automated personalized messaging, making it a more viable option for companies and smaller businesses.

9/11/2023

EU Forces WhatsApp to Open Up Messaging Under New Regulations

WhatsApp is working on a new feature that will allow users to receive messages from people on other messaging apps as part of the European Union's regulatory framework for gatekeepers in the tech industry.

9/13/2023

WhatsApp Rolls Out New Channels Feature in Over 150 Countries

WhatsApp is expanding its Channels feature to over 150 countries, allowing users to receive updates from creators, organizations, and brands in a single channel and introducing new enhancements such as improved directory, emoji reactions, and post editing capabilities.

9/15/2023

WhatsApp Denies Plans to Show Ads Despite Meta's Push to Monetize the Chat App

Meta has denied reports that it is considering integrating ads into WhatsApp, stating that it has no plans to do so and is instead focusing on monetizing the messaging app through WhatsApp Business.

9/20/2023

WhatsApp Rolls Out 'Flows' to Streamline In-App Shopping and Payments

WhatsApp is enhancing its shopping experience by introducing a new feature called Flows, which allows users to complete various tasks, such as booking appointments or selecting seats, without leaving the app. Merchants will have access to building blocks to create these experiences, and WhatsApp has been testing Flows with businesses like Banco Pan, MagaLu, Lenovo, Redbus, SBI, and Spinny. The goal is to enable rich experiences within chat threads and expand beyond e-commerce businesses. Additionally, WhatsApp is introducing new payment partners for the checkout experience in India to facilitate end-to-end shopping experiences and increase business transactions.

10/12/2023

WhatsApp Rolls Out Major UI Redesign with New Navigation Bar, Colors, and Features

Meta is giving WhatsApp's interface a much-needed overhaul, with a new design that integrates all the app's features seamlessly, including changes to the navigation bar, color schemes, and the floating action button for a fresh look, slowly rolling out to beta testers with the possibility of gradual implementation in future updates.