Meta Founder, Mark Zuckerberg has announced the global launch of WhatsApp Channels, which offers users direct and private access to updates that matter to them.
Zuckerberg, who twitted this on Wednesday, said the channels will be gl;obally rolled out in coming weeks. “Today we’re excited to launch WhatsApp Channels to over 150 countries and deliver a private way to receive updates that matter to you. We’re welcoming thousands of organizations, sports teams, artists, and thought leaders that people can follow, right within WhatsApp.
While appreciating feedbacks from the initial start in ten countries, Meta noted that its goal is to build the most private broadcast service available. It further clarifies that Channels are separate from chats; and who users choose to follow is not visible to other followers, even as personal information of both admins and followers are protected.
According to the statement, the channels are meant to deliver among other benefit, the following:
- Enhanced Directory – you can now find channels to follow that are automatically filtered based on your country. You can also view channels that are new, most active, and popular based on number of followers.
- Reactions – you can react using emojis to give feedback and see a count of total reactions. How you react will not be shown to followers.
- Editing – soon, admins will be able to make changes to their Updates for up to 30 days, when we automatically delete them from our servers.
- Forwarding – whenever you forward an Update to chats or groups it will include a link back to the channel so people can find out more.
“This is just the beginning, and we’ll continue to add more features and expand Channels based on feedback we get from users. Over the coming months, we’ll also make it possible for anyone to create a channel.”
Meta had also opened up its official WhatsApp Channel to intimate users about more product updates directly from them to keep users up to date on what it is building.
