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Meta Platforms (META) surged in premarket trading on June 16, 2025, driven by a pivotal monetization move on WhatsApp and investor confidence in its AI and ad strategies. The company’s announcement to introduce ads in WhatsApp Status reflects a broader shift toward unlocking revenue from its massive user base. This development comes amid strong market fundamentals and upbeat investor sentiment toward Meta’s strategic direction.

WhatsApp’s Ad Debut Marks Major Revenue Shift
 

WhatsApp, long known for its ad-free interface, will now begin showing ads in its Status section—its version of Instagram Stories—according to a June 16 announcement. Users will start seeing these ads after viewing a few Status updates, with targeting based on non-personal data such as location and language preferences. Importantly, Meta emphasizes that private user data like phone numbers and messages won’t be used.

This move signals a crucial evolution in WhatsApp’s revenue model. With over 1.5 billion people engaging with Status and Channels daily, Meta now has a substantial surface to serve ads and promote content. Additionally, it is enabling businesses and creators to monetize their Channels through subscriptions, offering another new revenue stream facilitated via app stores.

META Stock Surges in Premarket as Investors React to Strategic Progress
 

Meta stock rose to $701.87 in premarket trading (as of 9:22 AM EDT), up 2.86% from its previous close of $682.87. The rally came as investors digested the company’s growing commitment to monetizing key platforms like WhatsApp. With a trailing P/E of 26.66 and market cap of $1.717 trillion, Meta remains one of the strongest performers in its sector, boasting a 35.96% 1-year return.

Investors also continue to cheer Meta’s push into AI and ad infrastructure, as recent earnings calls have highlighted. The WhatsApp ad expansion complements revenue from click-to-WhatsApp ads and the Business platform, both of which have shown steady growth.

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