Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg Reports Four-Fold Increase in WhatsApp Business Users Over Three Years
According to CEO Mark Zuckerberg, the WhatsApp Business app from Meta Platforms has experienced a four-fold increase in its user base, now serving over 200 million users on its platform, compared to three years ago.
The increase in the number of users comes as Meta moves to focus on the development of corporate communications, as the uncertain economy slows down its core advertising business.
Meta said it will soon begin testing features that help small businesses run ads that click on the messaging platform without a Facebook account.
Small and medium-sized businesses could send personal messages to their customers for a fee, such as appointment reminders and updates on vacations.
Meta has been working to monetize its messaging apps, WhatsApp and Messenger, as CEO Zuckerberg sees business communications as the company’s next pillar.
In related news, Meta Platforms on Monday launched Meta Quest+, a subscription-based service for its virtual reality (VR) headsets to shape the emerging but high-investment market.
Mark Zuckerberg, the broadcaster behind social media app Instagram, said Meta Quest+ subscriptions will be available starting Monday for $7.99 a month or $59.99 a year for its Quest 2, Pro and soon Quest 3.
In March, Meta had reduced the prices of its headphones, because its bold contributions to the metaverse failed to gain a great reputation.
The social media company’s flagship VR headset, the Meta Quest Pro, is currently $999.99, down from its launch price of $1,499.99, and the Quest 2 retails for $299.99, according to Meta’s website.
