WhatsApp Business is not a part of the main app. It’s actually a separate version of WhatsApp that’s meant for businesses who want to communicate with their clients directly. It has already been available on Android for quite some time and is now being rolled out for iOS. A beta was first released for iOS devices last month.
According to WABetaInfo, the app was first spotted on the Mexican App Store and that reports have now come in from users in markets like France and Brazil who have been able to download WhatsApp Business for iOS on their devices and use it.
Facebook-owned WhatsApp first released its separate app aimed at businesses for Android devices in January 2018. The app allows businesses to reply to customers directly and also offers them additional tailored features which include greeting and away messages as well as being able to list opening times and addresses.
WhatsApp Business is also an important revenue stream for the company. Businesses can respond to customers for free within 24 hours of receiving a message but if they go beyond that limit, they have to pay. General users will also begin to see ads in the app’s Status feature in the not too distant future, as confirmed by a WhatsApp executive last year.