WhatsApp

WhatsApp is a globally dominant encrypted messaging platform that has revolutionized personal and business communication since its inception. With over 2 billion active users worldwide, the platform provides end-to-end encrypted messaging, voice and video calling, and multimedia sharing capabilities across mobile and web platforms. As a subsidiary of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook), WhatsApp has maintained its commitment to privacy while expanding its service offerings to include business communication solutions. The company has strategically evolved beyond personal messaging to capture the business communication market through WhatsApp Business and WhatsApp Business API. These enterprise solutions enable businesses of all sizes to engage with customers through verified business profiles, automated messaging, catalog showcasing, and payment integration. The platform's massive user base and high engagement rates position it as a critical channel for customer service, marketing, and commerce, particularly in emerging markets where WhatsApp serves as a primary communication tool. WhatsApp's monetization strategy centers on its Business API, which charges businesses for customer conversations beyond free-tier limits, and its emerging payments infrastructure that facilitates peer-to-peer and business transactions. The platform's advertising potential remains largely untapped, with Meta exploring non-intrusive monetization methods that preserve user experience while generating revenue from business interactions. This approach positions WhatsApp as a key component of Meta's broader ecosystem strategy, bridging social networking, messaging, and commerce.