Image credit : WhatsApp
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps today but there are some crucial features that give Discord and Telegram a slight advantage over this renowned app. Though WhatsApp has been rolling out a slew of updates from time to time.
Meta recently announced the launch of Channels feature, finally facilitating the platform to be suitable for broadcasting purposes. The Meta-owned messaging app said that it plans to extend the one-to-many broadcasting functionality to more than 150 countries over the next few weeks.
Mark Zuckerberg announced the release of the feature via his new 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,” he said.
WhatsApp first introduced Channels in June, but it was limited to select organizations in Colombia and Singapore. In July, it extended this functionality to seven more countries. WhatsApp Channels feature is supposed to work the same way as its competitor Telegram. The feature will allow users to receive the updates from different content creators, outlets, and brands.
Distinguishable from Communities, which act as an overarching structure for a number of topic-based group chats with a shared theme, Channels represent a messaging tool with a one-to-many communication approach. Its primary purpose is to enable brands, celebrities, organizations, artists, leaders, and even sports teams to disseminate detailed updates to a broad audience.
Also read : WhatsApp to enable cross-platform messaging to comply with EU regulations
The Channels feature is accessible through a dedicated tab within the app, and the channels you choose to follow remain private to you; others cannot view them. Furthermore, sensitive personal details associated with your account, such as your phone number, remain confidential and are not visible to admins or followers.
The company said that Olivia Rodrigo, David Guetta, Billboard, MLB and, of course, Zuck are among some big names available on Channel right now amid its worldwide launch. However, WhatsApp refrained from disclosing the exact number of channels available currently while hinting there are ‘thousands’.
