Tech

WhatsApp to launch cloud-based API services and premium features

Meta-owned platform WhatsApp is going to introduce free cloud-based API services for its users, says Mark Zuckerberg.

“The best business experiences meet people where they are … Today, I am excited to announce that we’re opening WhatsApp to any business of any size around the world with WhatsApp Cloud API,” Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said during his keynote at the company’s Conversations event on May 19.

“In just a few minutes, any business or developer can easily access our service, build directly on top of WhatsApp to customize their experience and speed up their response time to customers by using our secure WhatsApp Cloud API hosted by Meta,” he said.

He noted that this is an important step to help more businesses connect with people and help “more people message the businesses that they want to support – big and small.”

Zuckerberg mentioned that more than a billion users connect with a business account across its messaging services on a weekly basis. This includes finding products and services, reaching out for help, or buying anything from big-ticket items to everyday goods.

WhatsApp also said on Thursday it was planning to provide optional paid features as part of a new premium service for users of its specialized business app, which is geared at small businesses.

Features in the works include the ability to manage chats across up to 10 devices to better manage the influx of chats and new customizable WhatsApp click-to-chat links that may help businesses attract customers across their digital presence, WhatsApp said in a blog. The company, however, said it will share further details including the pricing at a future date.

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