WhatsApp Business Updates: In-App Payments, AI Support, Status Ads, and More

By Siddhi Jain | Sep 17, 2025, 10:54 IST

WhatsApp Business Updates: At its second annual Business Summit in Mumbai on September 16, WhatsApp announced a wide range of new features designed to make business operations easier, enhance customer engagement, and accelerate digital growth. From in-app payments and AI-powered customer support to Status Ads and cross-platform ad management, the latest updates aim to empower both small and large businesses across India.

In-App Payments Now Available

One of the biggest announcements was the introduction of direct payments within the WhatsApp Business App. Small business owners can now share QR codes with customers, enabling them to make secure payments directly inside the app. This feature eliminates the need for merchants to rely on separate payment platforms, simplifying transactions and boosting convenience for both buyers and sellers.

In-App Calling for Businesses

To strengthen customer support, WhatsApp introduced in-app calling features for larger enterprises. Customers will now be able to directly call a company’s support team via WhatsApp. Initially, the rollout will include voice calls, with video calling and voice messaging support planned for the near future.

The company also highlighted that many businesses are already leveraging WhatsApp Business AI, allowing customers to receive real-time assistance through voice-based interactions. This move is expected to significantly improve customer satisfaction and reduce waiting times.

Campaign Management Through Ads Manager

Another major addition is the integration with Meta Ads Manager, giving businesses the ability to run ad campaigns across WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram from a single dashboard. Powered by Meta’s AI technology, the system will automatically optimize budgets across platforms, ensuring businesses achieve better results at lower costs.

This feature is especially beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that want to expand their reach without investing heavily in marketing infrastructure.

New Business Discovery Features

WhatsApp is also introducing new ways for businesses to reach potential customers, including:

Status Ads – allowing businesses to advertise within WhatsApp Status updates.
Promoted Channels – helping brands and influencers increase visibility.
Paid Subscriptions – offering businesses additional exposure and monetization options.

Prominent brands such as Maruti Suzuki, Air India, and Flipkart are already experimenting with these tools, signaling strong industry interest.

Flexibility for Small Businesses

Previously, businesses had to choose between using the WhatsApp Business App or the Business Platform (API). With the new update, companies can now use both on a single phone number. This change brings greater flexibility, making it easier for small businesses to scale operations while giving larger enterprises more options to manage customer interactions seamlessly.

Additionally, WhatsApp revealed that it is collaborating with several state governments in India to build official service chatbots. For example, the “Mana Mitra” chatbot in Andhra Pradesh already provides access to over 700 citizen services and has been used by more than 4 million people.

WhatsApp’s Vision for Business Growth

Speaking at the event, Arun Srinivas, MD and Country Head of Meta India, emphasized that businesses of all sizes are increasingly turning to WhatsApp to deliver faster, more personalized customer service.

He noted, “With these new tools and features, businesses will not only improve profitability but also build deeper, more personal connections with their customers.”

Final Takeaway

The newly launched features mark WhatsApp’s continued expansion into the digital commerce and customer service ecosystem. By combining secure payments, AI-driven support, ad campaign management, and flexible platform usage, WhatsApp is positioning itself as a one-stop solution for businesses in India.

For small shopkeepers, the ability to manage payments and promotions directly on WhatsApp will reduce dependency on multiple apps. For larger corporations, AI-powered customer support and advanced ad management tools will streamline engagement at scale.

With India being WhatsApp’s largest market, these updates are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of business-to-consumer communication and digital commerce in the country.