WhatsApp Opens New Opportunities for Young Creators

Kehinde Adeleye

WhatsApp is switching things up — and while some users are side-eyeing the new update, young creators, digital hustlers, and Gen Z entrepreneurs might actually have something to smile about.

On Monday, Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, announced it will begin showing ads inside the app, a major move aimed at generating new revenue from one of the world’s most-used messaging platforms.

But don’t worry — your chats are safe. According to Meta, the ads will only appear in the “Updates” tab, where people view Statuses and follow Channels. Your DMs, group chats, and calls? Still private, still encrypted.

“The personal messaging experience on WhatsApp isn’t changing,” Meta stated. “Messages, calls, and statuses remain end-to-end encrypted and will not be used for ad targeting.”

No doubts ads are everywhere, but Meta is pairing this move with fresh monetization features that could be a win for creators, side hustlers, and youth-led brands:

Creators with Channels can now charge subscription fees for exclusive content. Think of it like turning your WhatsApp Channel into your own mini Patreon.

Businesses and influencers (yes, even small-time ones) can now promote their Channels to reach more followers — perfect for young designers, musicians, and content creators trying to grow a loyal audience.

And because WhatsApp is so popular across Nigeria and Africa at large, these updates could finally help local creatives turn their content into cash — without needing fancy websites or expensive platforms.

If you sell thrift fashion on IG, drop motivational content on TikTok, or run a skincare side hustle, this could be your moment.

WhatsApp is already deeply embedded in youth culture — used for business, bookings, study groups, and everything in between. With these updates, it’s evolving from a messaging tool into a potential money-making platform for the next generation of digital entrepreneurs.

And while some users may not love the idea of ads creeping into their feeds, others are seeing opportunity.

“If we can run ads to grow our brand and charge for content without needing big tools, then WhatsApp just became a business app too,” said Moyo, a 23-year-old Lagos-based fashion vendor. “It’s time to move smart.”