WhatsApp is officially closing a major transparency loophole. The messaging giant is rolling out a new paid partnership label for Channel admins. Previously, creators relied on inconsistent text disclaimers to disclose sponsored posts. Consequently, followers often struggled to separate genuine recommendations from paid brand deals. Now, WhatsApp is fixing this issue. The new feature gives admins a platform-level tool to clearly mark commercial content.
How the Permanent Label Works in WhatsApp
Using the new tool is incredibly simple. A channel admin simply taps and holds any channel update. Next, they open the context menu and select “Add paid partnership”. Instantly, a visible label appears on the post. Furthermore, followers can see this disclosure across all platforms, including Android, iOS, Web, and Desktop. They do not need to click or expand anything to see it.
However, there is a massive catch. Once an admin applies this label, it becomes permanent. You cannot remove it retroactively. Therefore, this strict rule completely eliminates the possibility of hiding a brand deal after followers have already viewed the update.
Driven by Legal Pressure & EU Compliance
WhatsApp did not just build this feature for ethical reasons. In fact, regulators in the United States and Europe now treat undisclosed sponsored content as deceptive advertising. Doing so invites strict investigations and heavy fines.
Moreover, the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) specifically forces platforms to provide creators with tools to declare commercial content. Therefore, WhatsApp is deploying this label to cover its legal liabilities and ensure global regulatory compliance. Notably, X introduced a similar dedicated label for its creators earlier this year in March 2026.
Current Availability
Currently, the paid partnership label is in a gradual rollout phase. It is available today, July 6, 2026, to a select subset of users running the latest versions of WhatsApp on Android and iOS.
If channel admins do not see the option right now, they should expect it to appear over the coming weeks. However, WhatsApp has not yet announced an exact date for universal availability. Ultimately, this update protects channel admins from severe legal risks and protects followers from hidden advertising.
