WhatsApp has introduced several new features for its one-way broadcasting tool – Channels. Mark Zuckerberg announced on Wednesday that Channels will receive updates including voice notes, multiple admins, and sharing of statuses and polls. These new updates aim to provide users with more ways to engage with WhatsApp channels.
“We’re introducing a bunch of new features for WA channels, including voice notes, multiple admins, sharing to status, and polls, which is great because I need help settling a debate,” he said on his WhatsApp Channel, along with a poll asking for a vote on the ‘best game of all time’.
WhatsApp is rolling out new features to Android, iOS, and the web, gradually making them available around the world. New features include:
1. Polls: Channels can now create polls within themselves to increase engagement. This feature enables channel administrators to tap directly into the opinions and preferences of their audiences. Mark Zuckerberg demonstrated this feature in his announcement by creating a poll about the most popular games. With polls, WhatsApp allows users to formulate brief questions and provide multiple answer options, turning passive viewers into active participants.
2. Share to Status: WhatsApp is also bridging the gap between channels and personal connections with Share to Status. Users can easily share adorable updates on their WhatsApp status from their favorite channels, spreading the word to their own networks. This helps users stay informed about the topics they care about, and channel creators experience organic growth through word-of-mouth recommendations.
3. Voice Updates: One of the most awaited features, Voice Updates lets channel administrators send voice notes to engage more with their followers. WhatsApp says the platform already exchanges 7 billion voice notes per day, and the feature will make voice notes a dominant communication format for channels.
4. Multiple Admins: WhatsApp Channels is upgrading group management with the introduction of the Multiple Admins feature. With the capacity for up to 16 admins, the platform enables users to streamline communication flows within channels. This ensures efficient dissemination of relevant and timely information, making it easier for users to stay abreast of the latest developments.
Meanwhile, WhatsApp has announced that its new feature Channel has reached 500 million monthly active users. It now has profiles of celebrities like Katrina Kaif and Vijay Deverakonda and brands like Mumbai Indians, Mercedes F1 and Netflix. WhatsApp Channels let users receive important updates from people and organizations privately, without mixing them with their personal chats. This is similar to Instagram’s broadcast feature.
