WhatsApp is exploring a way to let brands message its 450 million-plus user base after all, according to a report today. The largest text messaging platform, which Facebook is buying for $19 billion, has historically been a market-free zone.
Co-founder Jan Koum, since starting the app in 2009, has spoken against any invasion of advertising. WhatsApp’s motto is: No ads, no games, no gimmicks.
Since Facebook announced a deal last month to buy WhatsApp, industry watchers have wondered how Mark Zuckerberg would see a return on his investment if the messaging app stuck to its no-advertising policy.