WhatsApp Tests Dedicated Folder for Large Business Messages; Check Details

WhatsApp, the ubiquitous messaging platform, is reportedly piloting a new feature that will automatically funnel messages from large businesses into a dedicated folder. This development, highlighted a report, following earlier reports by WABetaInfo in April 2026, aims to provide users with a cleaner main inbox experience by moving these commercial communications a 24-hour period after their initial receipt.

TechCrunch reported that the move comes as WhatsApp continues to solidify its role as a critical communication channel for businesses, particularly in India, where it boasts over 500 million users. The new folder is expected to help users manage the increasing volume of business-initiated messages without disrupting their personal chats. WhatsApp New Feature Update: Channel Storage Cleanup Now Available As Beta on Android.

Evolution of WhatsApp Business in India

The introduction of a dedicated folder highlights Meta's ongoing efforts to refine the WhatsApp Business Platform, which has seen substantial growth and changes in the Indian market. Businesses, from small kirana stores to large enterprises, increasingly rely on WhatsApp for customer engagement, order updates, and support. A Kantar study in 2025 revealed that a remarkable 91% of online adults in India chat with a business weekly, underscoring the platform's profound impact on digital commerce.

Recent months have seen several key updates to the WhatsApp Business ecosystem. On May 14, 2026, Meta rolled out 'Business AI on WhatsApp' for eligible small businesses in India. This AI-powered tool offers 24/7 customer support, product recommendations, and will soon facilitate in-chat payments via UPI, all available in native Indian languages without requiring external coding. This initiative is designed to empower small businesses to be more responsive and competitive.

Recent Pricing and Platform Changes

Further demonstrating the evolving commercial landscape, Meta implemented significant pricing updates for its WhatsApp Business Platform globally, effective July 1, 2026. These changes affect per-message charges for businesses, categorized into marketing, utility, and authentication messages. For Indian recipient numbers, marketing messages are charged at approximately ₹0.8631, while utility and authentication messages cost around ₹0.115, as of January 2026. Service replies within a 24-hour window currently remain free, though they are set to become chargeable from October 1, 2026.

These pricing adjustments and the new folder test suggest a strategic move by Meta to organize and monetize business interactions more effectively on the platform. The shift towards username-based handles for businesses, with a technical transition deadline of June 2026, also indicates a push for a more streamlined and identifiable business presence on WhatsApp. Sony Physical Disc Backlash: PlayStation Defends 2028 Digital Plan Despite Community Anger (Watch Video)

While the specific name of the new folder and its full rollout timeline are yet to be officially detailed beyond the current testing phase, this development signals WhatsApp's commitment to enhancing user experience amidst its rapidly expanding commercial utility. For Indian users and businesses alike, this could mean a more organized messaging environment and clearer distinctions between personal and commercial communications.

Disclaimer: AI tools assisted in compiling the foundational data and research for this report. The final content was reviewed, edited and verified by human editors at LatestLY.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 31, 2026 08:25 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).