WhatsApp Crosses 3 Billion Monthly Users – A Milestone Moment for Meta
In a major digital milestone, WhatsApp has now surpassed 3 billion monthly active users, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg confirmed during the company’s Q1 earnings call on Wednesday.
This achievement cements WhatsApp’s place among the world’s most widely used apps — joining Facebook as one of the few platforms to reach the 3 billion user mark. Notably, WhatsApp remains free of ads and has never charged users for access, making its growth even more remarkable.
From a Startup to a Global Communication Giant
WhatsApp was founded in 2009 and was acquired by Facebook (now Meta) in 2014 for a whopping $19 billion. Since then, its user base has steadily grown, hitting 2 billion monthly users in 2020 and now reaching a new high of 3 billion in 2024.
While the app began as a simple, ad-free messaging platform, it has evolved into one of Meta’s most valuable assets, particularly as the tech giant pivots toward artificial intelligence.
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WhatsApp and Meta’s AI Push
During the earnings call, Meta CFO Susan Li emphasized WhatsApp’s growing role in Meta’s AI strategy. She said WhatsApp is now the strongest channel for Meta AI usage among all of the company’s platforms — including Instagram and Facebook.
“Most WhatsApp users who interact with Meta AI are doing so in one-on-one chats,” Li said, highlighting the app’s personal and direct engagement model.
Zuckerberg added that while WhatsApp offers a natural entry point for AI features globally, Meta faces challenges in the U.S. market, where users still largely rely on built-in messaging apps like iMessage and SMS. To address this, Meta recently launched the standalone Meta AI app, aimed at becoming a key player in the American AI and messaging space.
“We hope to become the leader over time in the U.S. messaging market,” Zuckerberg said. “But we’re in a different position there than we are in most of the rest of the world on WhatsApp.”
WhatsApp Business: Fueling Revenue Growth
Beyond personal messaging, WhatsApp is also powering Meta’s business ambitions. The WhatsApp Business platform, which enables companies to connect with customers via automated chats and customer service tools, played a significant role in Meta’s recent revenue.
According to the company, WhatsApp Business helped drive a large portion of the $510 million generated by Meta’s family of apps last quarter.
Looking ahead, Meta is testing AI-powered tools for WhatsApp Business, including a new AI agent management dashboard. This feature will allow businesses to train Meta’s AI using their own content — such as website information, WhatsApp profiles, Instagram pages, and Facebook data.
The company is also exploring ways to enable businesses to deploy Meta’s AI chatbot directly within customer conversations on WhatsApp, which could dramatically change how businesses offer support and drive sales.
What This Means for Users and Businesses
With 3 billion users now actively using WhatsApp every month, the platform’s influence in both personal and professional communication is undeniable. Meta’s efforts to integrate AI features and expand WhatsApp Business tools indicate that the app is not just a messaging service anymore — it’s becoming a major hub for digital interaction, commerce, and AI-driven experiences.
As Meta continues its push into artificial intelligence, WhatsApp’s massive global reach may very well be the foundation on which the company builds its next generation of digital products.
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