Zuckerberg has had to backtrack on his ambitious and somewhat manipulated metaverse. Meta’s CEO has been answering questions from employees about the future and viability of the company. “Commercial WhatsApp and Messenger messages will probably be the next big pillar of our business.” The person in charge explained it.
“Meta’s Reality Labs segment has already lost $9.4 billion this year alone. Making Revenues in Reality Labs also declined by nearly 50% year over year during the third quarter despite Meta owning the Quest 2 which is easily the world’s top-selling consumer VR headset. However, rather than tighten their belts in the face of shakier VR sales this year, Zuck and his team instead opted to release a glitzy but mostly useless, eyeball tracking $1,500 mixed reality headsets.”
At the moment, WhatsApp is the most used messaging application in the world. It counts with an estimated 2 billion users in January 2022 (https://www.statista.com/statistics/258749/most-popular-global-mobile-messenger-apps/)
“As of January 2022, two billion users were accessing WhatsApp messenger every month. The app’s reach is usage penetration is particularly strong in markets outside of the United States. Also, it is one of the most popular mobile social apps worldwide.
Instant messaging is a type of online chat which offers real-time text transmission via the internet. Since the appearance of smartphones and the subsequent explosion of mobile apps, low-cost or free chat and social messaging apps have proven themselves as cheap alternative to operator-based text messaging via SMS. Many messenger apps offer features such as group chats, the exchange of graphics, video, and even audio messages as well as stickers or emoticons.”
WhatsApp’s philosophy has completely changed. This, is since the creators promised an app without ads, no games or monetization cheats, but Meta has other priorities. They want to gradually integrate advertising through the platform in the coming years. Looking for ways to reach a target audience of billions of people.
Eight years ago, Zuckerberg paid 22,000 million dollars for WhatsApp and has only managed to bill a little more than 10% of what it cost him. While with Instagram the profitability was immediate.
To get WhatsApp and Messenger, to start generating more revenue, they will need to expand their functions. The goal is to get these apps to generate as much money as Facebook and Instagram.
Currently, Meta allows some countries to carry out simple transactions within the messaging app. In Brazil, one of the large markets, It was released a new payment tool last week through the messaging service.
“This seamless payment experience will be a game changer for people and businesses looking to buy and sell on WhatsApp without having to go to a website, open another app, or pay in person,” the company explained.
What did the Metaverse need to be more attractive and better business? Could it be that we are not yet ready for a virtual universe?
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