WhatsApp has recently officially launched its new broadcast feature known as Channels in India and over 150 other nations. Much like Instagram's Broadcast channel, Meta’s WhatsApp allows its users to interact with their connections through one-way channels, simplifying the process of sending messages to a large group of people.
WhatsApp has highlighted the fact that Channels operate separately from regular chats, ensuring that the identities of followers remain confidential to others. This makes Channels an excellent tool for one-way communication, enabling administrators to share various content like text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls while maintaining the privacy of both administrators and followers.
While launching this feature, WhatsApp noted that they’re excited to share the news of launching WhatsApp Channels in India and other 150 countries. WhatsApp Channels is an exclusive one-way broadcast tool that delivers a private way to receive updates from people and organizations that matter to you, all within the privacy of WhatsApp.
WhatsApp to add a new tab for Channels
To facilitate easy access, WhatsApp will introduce a dedicated tab called “Updates” to introduce the Channels feature. This dedicated section will allow users to share both status updates and channels they choose to follow, maintaining a clear distinction from their personal conversations with family, friends, and communities. Additionally, users can also join channels through invitation links shared in chats, emails, or posted online.
As the feature is being expanded globally, the platform is introducing new updates to Channels aimed at improving functionality, and user experience and some of them are-
1. Enhanced Directory
Users can now easily discover channels through a searchable directory that is automatically sorted by country. Also, users have the option to browse channels based on their activity level, popularity, or when they were created.
2. Reactions
Similar to Instagram broadcast channels, users on WhatsApp Channels can now react to updates and provide feedback using emojis. The total number of reactions will be visible, but the admin’s individual reactions will not be visible.
3. Editing
Admins will soon have the ability to edit their updates within a 30-day window before they are automatically removed from the servers of WhatsApp.
4. Forwarding
When an admin forwards an update to chats or groups, it will include a link back to the channels, making it easy for people to find more information.
To prevent the accumulation of messages in Channels, WhatsApp will retain channel history on its servers for 30 days maximum. The company is also working on implementing features to ensure updates disappear even more quickly from follower’s devices. Also, the administrators will have the option to prevent screenshots and forwards within their channels.
In addition, WhatsApp is also granting administrators control over who can follow their channels and whether they want their channel to be discoverable in the directory. Also, it is important to note that channels are not end-to-end encrypted by default. This is because the primary aim of channels is to reach a wide audience.
