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Meta Announces Feature Updates for WhatsApp Channel, Expands to 150 Countries To Challenge X
Technology

Meta Announces Feature Updates for WhatsApp Channel, Expands to 150 Countries To Challenge X

by  Dave Ibemere 2 min read
  • Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has updated its channel features, expanding to over 150 countries
  • The feature now allows for one-to-many communication through broadcast messages, with additional features
  • WhatsApp has also promised to add more features based on user feedback in the coming months

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Meta has announced significant updates to its WhatsApp Channel feature, a strategic move to make the messaging app work like X formerly Twitter.

This is coming just a few weeks after Elon Musk revealed plans to introduce call and video chats on X, similar to WhatsApp.

WhatsApp new features on channels
WhatsApp expands channels to 150 countries Photo credit: Meta
Source: Facebook

According to a statement from Meta, with the updates, WhatsApp Channels will be available to all users in more than 150 countries over the next few weeks.

Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of Meta in a message on his verified Facebook page also believes it will give WhatsApp users extra value.

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He said:

“Excited to introduce you all to WhatsApp Channels, a new private way for you to get updates from people and organizations you follow. I’m starting this channel to share Meta news and updates."

WhatsApp Channel's key new features

  • Enhanced Directory - Users can now find channels to follow that are automatically filtered based on their country. They can also view channels that are new, most active, and popular based on the number of followers.
  • Reactions - Users can also react using emojis to give feedback and see a count of total reactions. How you react will not be shown to followers.
  • Editing - While admins will be able to make changes to their Updates for up to 30 days, we will automatically delete them from our servers.
  • Forwarding - Whenever you forward an Update to chats or groups, it will include a link to the channel so that people can find out more.

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WhatsApp releases channel features for broadcast messages for organisations and businesses

Meanwhile, in another report, WhatsApp and Instagram have rolled out a broadcast-based messaging feature called Channels on WhatsApp, much like the recent update it announced on Instagram as it experiments with giving more conversational avenues to its users.

The company also aims to monetize the feature in the future. Admins' phone numbers won't be visible on the channels.

Channels will appear on the new WhatsApp feature in a new tab called Updates.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
Dave Ibemere avatar

Dave Ibemere (Senior Business Editor) Dave Ibemere is a senior business editor at Legit.ng. He is a financial journalist with over a decade of experience in print and online media. He also holds a Master's degree from the University of Lagos. He is a member of the African Academy for Open-Source Investigation (AAOSI), the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and other media think tank groups. He previously worked with The Guardian, BusinessDay, and headed the business desk at Ripples Nigeria. Email: dave.ibemere@corp.legit.ng.

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