• WhatsApp has announced a new feature called Channels, which allows users to send one-way notifications to followers.
• These notifications can take the form of texts, photos, videos, stickers, or polls, which is a core feature of a social media platform’s experience.
• You can also follow Channels without revealing your phone number to the admin or other followers.

WhatsApp has announced a new feature in the form of Channels, and its functions feel awfully similar to that of a social media platform. This as WhatsApp Channels will allow users to follow accounts from important people or organisations, with one-way notifications being sent to followers.

These notifications can take the form of texts, images, videos, stickers, or polls, the instant messaging platform confirmed.

“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,” it explained in a blog post.

“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,” it added.

WhatsApp Channels also prioritises privacy, with the personal information of both admins and followers remaining private.

The platform adds that it will only keep histories of Channels on its servers for up to 30 days, and offer the ability to make updates disappear faster from follower’s devices. Admins will also have the option to block screenshots and forwards from their Channel.

“Lastly, we’ll make it possible for admins to decide who can follow their channel and whether they want their channel to be discoverable in the directory or not. Given the aim of Channels is to reach a wide audience, channels are not end-to-end encrypted by default,” it added.

Before you start setting up a Channel, the new feature is being rolled out in Colombia and Singapore to select people and organisations. “We’ll bring Channels to more countries and the ability for anyone to create a channel over the coming months,” the post concluded.