WhatsApp to Introduce Instagram-like Features for More Interactive Status Updates

WhatsApp is introducing new interactive features for its status updates, similar to Instagram, as part of its latest update through the Google Play Beta Program, according to WABetaInfo.

The update includes a new “Add Yours” sticker format for Android users, allowing them to customize their statuses with questions or prompts that encourage their contacts to respond. This feature is designed to make status updates more engaging and interactive. Users can now invite others to contribute by sharing content related to the same theme. For instance, if someone posts a photo of the sky, they could prompt others to share their own sky pictures.

Reports also indicate that WhatsApp is testing a poll-like feature for its iOS version. These changes aim to improve user interaction and provide more creative ways for people to share content.

WABetaInfo further reported that when users participate in the “Add Yours” sticker trend, their audience won’t be able to see who initiated the trend or the contributions made by others, ensuring privacy and maintaining WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption policies.

The privacy-centric nature of WhatsApp’s updates is one of the key differences from Instagram’s story features, which share a more public and open interface. WhatsApp’s updates, on the other hand, maintain its focus on user confidentiality.

WhatsApp is also experimenting with new ways to make status updates more visible. The green circle over a contact’s profile picture now indicates active status updates, making them easier to spot. Additionally, there have been reports of WhatsApp exploring the idea of a viewing list below each status, showing who has seen the update. Similar to Instagram’s story format, WhatsApp has also rolled out a ‘likes’ feature for statuses.

The new sticker update, still under development, is expected to encourage greater participation in status updates, allowing users to interact beyond just sharing text or images. This addition will let people create their own trends, share personal stories, and get more creative with their content. The feature will be available in future updates for Android users.