WhatsApp adds messaging tools to attract businesses

By BARBARA ORTUTAY
AP Technology Writer

WhatsApp parent Meta is moving forward with its push to attract businesses to its popular chat app. Its part of an effort to find new ways to make money beyond targeted advertisements on its other platforms, Facebook and Instagram. Meta unveiled a developer tool, WhatsApp Cloud API, to businesses so they can message and chat with their customers. CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the feature on Thursday at a virtual event. He called it an important step to help more businesses connect with people and help more people message the businesses that they want to support.