Meta-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has launched a new feature called ‘Channels’, that will enable people and organizations to send messages and updates to followers that are separate from interpersonal communications.
Meta disclosed that this feature aims to redefine the broadcasting landscape by offering a simple, secure, and reliable tool for sharing important updates and information, with a new form of private broadcasting.
WhatsApp wrote via a blog post, “Today we’re excited to introduce Channels: a simple, reliable, and private way to receive important updates from people and organizations, right within WhatsApp. We’re building Channels in a new tab called Updates where you’ll find Status and channels you choose to follow – separate from your chats with family, friends, and communities.
“Channels are a one-way broadcast tool for admins to send text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls. To help you select channels to follow, we’re building a searchable directory where you can find your hobbies, sports teams, updates from local officials, and more. You can also get to a channel from invite links sent in chats, e-mail, or posted online”.
Channels is designed as a one-way communication tool, that will enable administrators to broadcast photos, stickers, text, videos, and polls to their followers. The content shared on Channels will be found in a new tab called ‘Updates’, separate from the usual personal chats and group conversations.
The service aims to make following news and updates from various industries, such as sports, local official updates, and more, a seamless experience. A searchable directory will be built to assist users in finding the Channels they would be interested in following. Additionally, users can join a Channel through invite links sent via chat email or shared online.
WhatsApp has also assured users of its commitment to privacy while designing Channels. The platform stated that the phone numbers and profile photos of administrators will not be visible to followers, and vice versa.
Also, to ensure that the data is not stored forever, the Channel history on the servers will be kept for up to 30 days only. Other privacy-focused features, include blocking screenshots and forwards from Channels and allowing admins to decide on the discoverability and audience of their Channels.
Investors King understands that this feature will initially be rolled out in Singapore and Colombia and will be extended to more countries gradually. Also, the ability for WhatsApp users to create a channel will be enabled in the coming months.
WhatsApp believes that the rollout of Channels is an opportunity to support admins with a way for them to build a business around their channel using its expanding payment services.
In addition, WhatsApp has assured its users that the introduction of Channels is not in any way a shift from what the app is known for as a private messaging app, rather the addition of this feature is an additional step towards enhancing users’ experience.
