At its second annual Business Summit in Mumbai, WhatsApp introduced a host of new features aimed at helping businesses in India strengthen customer connections, simplify operations, and drive growth. The platform now allows small businesses to accept secure in-app payments through QR codes, while larger businesses can use in-app calling and AI-powered support to handle complex queries more efficiently. Businesses will also be able to manage campaigns across WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram directly in Ads Manager, with Meta’s AI optimizing performance.
To expand discovery, WhatsApp is rolling out ads in Status, promoted channels, and channel subscriptions, with brands like Maruti Suzuki, Air India, and Flipkart already participating. Small businesses can now use both the WhatsApp Business App and Business Platform on the same number, offering greater flexibility as they scale. Beyond commerce, WhatsApp is also working with state governments in India to launch citizen service chatbots, such as Andhra Pradesh’s “Mana Mitra,” which already provides over 700 services to millions of users.
Meta India MD Arun Srinivas said these developments reinforce WhatsApp’s role as a trusted platform for daily interactions, commerce, and public services, unlocking stronger customer engagement and growth opportunities.