Today, WhatsApp revealed its expansion of the Channels feature, which is designed for broadcasting messages.
Mark Zuckerberg introduced this feature on his new WhatsApp channel and he said, “Excited to introduce you all to WhatsApp Channels, a new private way for you to get updates from people and organisations you follow. I’m starting this channel to share Meta news and updates”.
The Channels feature resides in a separate tab within the app, and channels you follow will remain private to others. Furthermore, personal information such as your phone number will not be visible to admins or followers.
While the primary function of a channel remains one-to-many communication through broadcast messages, the company is introducing new interactions, including the ability to react with emojis. Users will also be able to view the total count of reactions below each message.
With the global launch, WhatsApp will enhance the directory for discovering channels based on your location. This list can be sorted by new, most active, and most popular channels. When users forward an update from a channel to a group or an individual, it will include a link back to the original channel.
For admins, WhatsApp is introducing the capability to edit a message within a 30-day window. The chat app also permits message editing for individuals or groups, albeit within a 15-minute timeframe. This editing feature will be available soon.
Meta continues to restrict the creation of channels to select individuals and organisations. The company has indicated plans to eventually allow everyone to create their own channels, according to TechCrunch.
Since becoming available to Malaysian users in July, numerous organisations have established their own channels, including Zoo Negara Malaysia, Mental Illness Awareness & Support Association (MIASA), and Badminton World Federation (BWF), in addition to global entities like Real Madrid, Man City, and UNICEF.
Zoo Negara Malaysia shared, “We are honoured to be among the early access users of WhatsApp Channels in Malaysia. Through Channels, we are able to educate the public about wildlife conservation and keep our supporters informed about our activities, all while fostering a sense of community with the public.
The company announced that Channels will roll out to users in more than 150 countries within the next few weeks.
