WhatsApp Channels crosses 500 million monthly active users

WhatsApp Channels, one of the recent features announced by the Meta-owned platform, has surpassed 500 million monthly active users. The company has achieved the feat in just 7 weeks, said Meta Founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

“500 million monthly actives on WhatsApp Channels in the first 7 weeks! Great to see the WA community so engaged,” Zuckerberg said.

Channels is a new way to get updates from people, organizations, and teams you follow on WhatsApp. Channels are separate from your private chats and who you choose to follow is not visible to other followers. 
 
The company has also launched the official WhatsApp Channel to keep people up-to-date on what the company is building. 

According to the company, Channels is a new way to get updates from people, organisations, and teams you follow on WhatsApp. Channels are separate from your private chats, and who you choose to follow is not visible to other followers.

"We've launched Stickers on channels. Users are enjoying getting updates from channels they follow. And admins are using Channels as a way to connect with their followers in a new format,” said WhatsApp.

Last week, reports surfaced that could show ads in Status, the platform's Stories-like feature, and channels but not in the main inbox.
In an interview with Brazilian media, WhatsApp's head Will Cathcart said the company is not planning to put any ads in the main chat but can show ads in other places, like channels or status.