Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
Business

WhatsApp users cross 2 billion, second only to Facebook

FILE PHOTO: The WhatsApp messaging application is seen on a phone screen August 3, 2017. REUTERS/Thomas White/File Photo

Facebook-owned messaging app WhatsApp said on Wednesday it has amassed 2 billion users, becoming the second social media platform in the world to hit that milestone.

WhatsApp did not specify how it calculated the number of users, but said it had 500 million users in 2014, when Facebook Inc bought the mobile-messaging startup for $19 billion to boost its popularity, especially among a younger crowd.

Facebook has been trying to boost revenue from its high-growth units such as photo sharing platform Instagram and WhatsApp. It has been building out WhatsApp's e-commerce tools, as it moves toward monetizing the app.

WhatsApp in November launched a feature for small businesses, the main users for WhatsApp Business app, that offered them a "mobile storefront" to showcase their wares with images and prices.

Facebook had about 2.50 billion monthly active users as of Dec. 31, the company said. https://bit.ly/38nyrsm

(Reporting by Chinmay Rautmare in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Heard it on the grapevine: Polish wine’s quiet renaissance
Once thought of only for vodka and lager, Poland is in the midst of a wine-making revival that’s infiltrating restaurant lists, bars and independent suppliers
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
In My Tiny Kitchen, Every Inch Counts – Yet Drew Barrymore’s Ingenious Blender Earned a Spot on My Counter (And Replaced 3 Bulky Appliances)
The new 'Kitchen System' is a personal blender and food processor all in one, making it a must-have for small spaces (starting with mine)
Homes & Gardens
Homes & Gardens
Former Texas Roadhouse worker calls out the outlet for ‘scooping out’ a bug from their cinnamon butter, but people noticed something even worse
Everyone has seen the viral videos of secret menu hacks or behind-the-scenes kitchen tours. But one former Texas Roadhouse server’s “throwback” TikTok of a bug in cinnamon butter is a literal nightmare. People with a fear of bugs, you might want to sit this one out.
The Mary Sue
The Mary Sue
From YouTuber to NASCAR driver: Cleetus McFarland expands his racing resume at Daytona
Garrett Mitchell is better known as “Cleetus McFarland” to his millions of followers gained over the years as a racing influencer
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Woman orders wedding dress from Dior. Then she sees the box it came in. People are alarmed at the reveal: ‘I thought that was a fridge’
Forget butterflies and happy tears. This Dior bride’s big moment arrived looking less like couture and more like a Home Depot delivery. In a now-viral TikTok, handymen lug a massive wooden crate into her house–except it’s the kind you’d expect to hold a fridge, not a frock.
The Mary Sue
The Mary Sue
8 Signs Your Healthy Southern Diet is Actually Causing Inflammation
Traditional Southern flavors often rely on fresh produce and lean proteins, but common preparation methods can unintentionally trigger inflammation. While many believe they are following a wholesome regional diet, specific dietary habits might be working against health goals. Identifying these subtle shifts in nutrition can help restore balance and improve…
Budget and the Bees
Budget and the Bees
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play