WhatsApp rolls out in-app business directory to incentivize users

San Francisco: Facebook-owned instant-messaging app WhatsApp has introduced a new feature dubbed as ‘In-App Business Directory’ which allows users to find shops and services via app.

As per reports, WhatsApp is testing In-App Business Directory feature in São Paulo, Brazil now. However, many reports have suggested that Facebook is planning to bolster e-commerce on its services and the upcoming feature is also a part of that.

WhatsApp finally announces the business directory to quickly find local businesses within WhatsApp!

This feature may not be available to you right now, but it will be rolled out for more people later. https://t.co/tb6zz1FKl1

— WABetaInfo (@WABetaInfo) September 15, 2021

Facebook’s vice president of business messaging, Matt Idema said, “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.

“The company may add ads in WhatsApp Status like Instagram Stories,” earlier reports suggested.

Idema said previously businesses were promoting their WhatsApp numbers on packaging or websites or using Facebook advertisements to bring users into chats on WhatsApp.

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.

Reports quoting sources said that the company may bring the feature to India and Indonesia next.

WhatsApp says that millions of advertisers around the world are using click to WhatsApp through Instagram and Facebook to connect directly with their users.