Meta chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg on Wednesday launched WhatsApp Channels in India and over 150 countries. Taking to Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg shared a post and captioned it, “Today we’re starting to roll out WhatsApp Channels globally and adding thousands of new channels that people can follow in WhatsApp. You can find Channels in the new ‘Updates’ tab.”
WhatsApp Channels are a one-way broadcast tool and deliver a private way to receive updates from people and organizations that matter to you, right within WhatsApp.
Mark Zuckerberg, announced the news on his WhatsApp Channel, “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. Looking forward to connecting with you all around the world.” With Channels, WhatsApp’s goal is to build the most private broadcast service available. Channels are separate from chats, and who you choose to follow is not visible to other followers.
Channels can be found in a new tab called ‘Updates’ – where you’ll find Status and channels you choose to follow. As we expand Channels globally, we’re introducing the following updates:
Enhanced Directory – WhatsApp user can 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 – One 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. WhatsApp Channels are rolling out globally over the next few weeks.