WhatsApp is testing a business-to-customer messaging feature
WhatsApp is testing a business-to-customer messaging feature
According to Reuters, Facebook-owned WhatsApp is testing a new business-to-customer messaging system. It is being tested with only a handful of companies that are under “part of the Y Combinator startup incubator.”
This is a clear sign that WhatsApp is looking for create a revenue stream for its business model. The writing was already on the wall when WhatsApp rescinded its decision to collect annual subscriptions in January last year, and the company said that it will not spam users with third-party advertisements. Instead, it will focus on “its efforts on testing tools for users to connect with businesses and organizations that they want to hear from.” So one possible way for WhatsApp to monetize this feature is to charge businesses that are interested in contacting their customers over WhatsApp messaging service. The company is quick to emphasize the fact that it will work with its users to reduce spam messages.
WhatsApp has comes a long way since its creation on February 2008. It has grown its user base to more than one billion spread over 180 countries. The popular messaging service was bought over by Facebook in 2014, to the tune of US$19 billion!