Instant-messaging app WhatsApp has always tried to give users a good chatting experience by introducing new features and tools. Now, the app has introduced a new feature for its Business app. The new WhatsApp feature is dubbed as ‘In-App Business Directory’. It will allow users to search about any shop and service through a directory in the app itself.
This feature will allow WhatsApp users to find shops and services through a directory in the app.
WhatsApp is said to be testing WhatsApp In-App Business Directory feature in Brazil now. In fact, Many reports have suggested that Facebook is planning to bolster e-commerce on its services. The upcoming feature is also a part of that.
As per reports, Matt Idema, Facebook’s vice president of business messaging, said that “This could be … the primary way that people start a commerce process in WhatsApp.”
Unlike Facebook and Instagram, there are no ads on WhatsApp. So, the company wants to increase its earnings through the business app, by adding advertisements in the app in coming future.
Earlier reports have also suggested that the company may add ads in WhatsApp Status like Instagram Stories.
Idema said previously businesses were promoting their WhatsApp numbers on packaging or websites or using Facebook advertisements to bring users into chats on WhatsApp.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the online retail has seen a significant increase. So, Facebook has also kept giving updates about the shopping feature on its platform.
In June, Zuckerberg announced Facebook’s Shops feature would expand to WhatsApp in several countries. To promote its Business app, WhatsApp has also launched shopping tools like product catalogues and shopping carts.
The new test in Brazil is said to include thousands of businesses in categories like food, retail, and local services across certain São Paulo neighborhoods.
The executive has said that the company may bring the feature to India and Indonesia next.
WhatsApp was heavily criticized due to its privacy updates, after which the company clarified that it does not track the location of users or read private chats, although it does monitor conversations from business accounts.
WhatsApp says that millions of advertisers around the world are using click to WhatsApp through Instagram and Facebook to connect directly with their users.
Ms Kalinga