- By Vikas Yadav
- Sat, 16 Sep 2023 09:55 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
WhatsApp Channels was launched by Meta in India on September 13 with the aim to provide a "private way" for users to get updates from celebs, creators and more. And the feature is now showing up for several users on Android and iOS. The 'Status' tab has now been renamed to 'Updates' and comprises the status uploaded by contacts and a new 'Channels' tab with a few suggestions.
To amplify the reach of Channels on the app, the company has placed them below the Status and stuffed the 'Viewed Updates' section in an expandable list. Users can tap on the arrow at the right to expand the list of statuses viewed by them.
"Stay updated on topics that matter to you. Find channels to follow below," the text within the Channels tab reads with a few options to follow select channels. Besides the recommended list, WhatsApp accounts can also search for channels using the 'Find Channels' option. It is available for some accounts on Android and iOS.
Following a channel does not reveal a user's contact number to any of the followers or the admin. (Image:Meta)
What are Channels?
WhatsApp channels are a "one-way" communication medium for admins to share messages and media, including photos, videos, stickers etc. This is different from two-way communication with contacts. At the launch, several celebrities such as Diljit Dosanjh, Katrina Kaif, Akshay Kumar, Vijay Deverakonda and BCCI introduced their Channels on WhatsApp.
Users can react to updates from channels using emojis, forward them to chats or groups and discover channels based on several factors such as activity, popularity, date of creation and more. Following a channel does not reveal a user's contact number to any of the followers or the admin, Meta said in a post.
Admins can restrict screenshots or forwards of the Channel's content, and the channel history will be accessible for up to 30 days. Further, more creator-facing features shall debut in the future based on user feedback. In the upcoming months, the functionality to create a channel will be available to all users.