Meta-owned instant messaging platform WhatsApp is now launching a new feature called Channels. This new initiative will offer a private way for users to receive important messages and updates from companies and people directly on WhatsApp. Here are all the details you need to know.
🧵 What are WhatsApp Channels?
WhatsApp channels are a simple and private way to receive updates from people and organizations you care about.
Channels are located within the Updates tab, separate from chats with family and friends.
—WhatsApp (@WhatsApp)
June 8, 2023
What is the WhatsApp Channels feature?
Channels are a one-way broadcast tool that allows businesses and organizations to send messages and updates to an unlimited number of followers. This feature comes after parent company Meta announced the same feature for Instagram.
The new update will be visible in the bottom tab titled “Updates” and will have a search directory where users can find topics of interest.
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This allows users to create and subscribe to channels, and administrators can send text messages, photos, videos, and polls to a large audience. The Channels feature can be beneficial for influencers, businesses, and individuals to share news, updates, and other information with their followers or customers.
Here is the statement from the WhatsApp Blog that says: “Today we are pleased to introduce Channels: a simple, reliable and private way to receive important updates from people and organizations, directly from WhatsApp.”
“Channels are a one-way broadcast tool for administrators to send texts, photos, videos, stickers and surveys,” he further added.
This new feature takes care of the privacy of both users and administrators, since followers will not be able to see the administrators’ contact information and vice versa.
The WhatsApp announcement says: “We aspire to create the most private streaming service available. This starts with protecting the personal information of both administrators and followers. As a channel administrator, your phone number and profile photo will not be shown to your followers.
Likewise, following a channel will not reveal your phone number to the admin or other followers. Who you decide to follow is your choice and is private.”
What is the availability of the WhatsApp Channels feature?
The new feature will be rolled out in Colombia and Singapore, where WhatsApp will work with leading companies and global voices. The platform plans to test this feature on a small scale at first and will eventually roll it out to more countries.
This is what the blog says: “To launch Channels, we are excited to work with leading global voices and select organizations in Colombia and Singapore, where Channels will be available for the first time, to develop, learn and adapt the experience.”
“We will bring channels to more countries and the possibility that anyone can create a channel in the coming months”he added.
What are the characteristics of WhatsApp Channels?
The new update will have the following features:
Privacy: Channel administrators and followers will not be able to see each other’s phone numbers or profile photos. This information will only be used to create the channel and send updates.
Updates: Channel updates will only be stored on WhatsApp servers for up to 30 days. WhatsApp also plans to add ways for followers to make updates disappear from their devices quickly.
Control: Administrators will have a lot of control over their channels. They will be able to decide who can follow their channel and if it is visible in the directory. They will also be able to block screenshots and reposts from their channel.
Payment Services: WhatsApp will also integrate its payment methods into the new feature, allowing creators to monetize their services and build their business. The platform will also add and promote certain channels in the directory to help increase awareness.
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How to use the WhatsApp channels feature?
To find and subscribe to WhatsApp channels, open WhatsApp and go to the Updates tab. Tap the Browse button and you will see a list of channels. You can also search for channels by name or topic.
Source: WhatsApp
To subscribe to a channel, tap the Follow button. You will then start receiving updates from the channel in the Updates tab.
In conclusion, WhatsApp Channels can be a powerful tool for companies and organizations to share information with their followers and generate excitement about their new services and products so that their business can increase. It will also serve as a platform to easily interact with the public.
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Source: ptivs2.edu.vn