Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg has green-lit a bunch of new features coming to WhatsApp channels including the ability to send voice notes and run poles. Zuckerberg took to his own WhatsApp channel to share the update, announcing that the new features have started to roll out globally at the time of writing. WhatsApp channels were launched in early 2023 as a medium to broadcast messages to large groups of people at the same time, much in the same way like a Telegram channel.
WhatsApp Channels update — what’s new?
WhatsApp Channels are getting a total of four new features with the latest update. The ability to send voice notes or messages is one and WhatsApp makes it a point to highlight it in particular in a release sent out to the media over email. The instant messaging platform reiterates that with 7 billion voice messages sent on WhatsApp daily, it is one of its most powerful features.
Considering how incredibly popular its Channels are getting (reportedly crossing 500 million monthly active users within 7 weeks of launch), bringing one of its most popular features to them to increase traction seems but obvious.
Anyhow, apart from voice notes, WhatsApp Channels are getting another feature to boost engagement— polls. And so, going forward admins will be able to run polls within their Channels where others can come and vote. Speaking of which, WhatsApp is also increasing the cap on admin count to 16 so as to increase the frequency of updates inside Channels.
Lastly, it is now also possible to share someone’s Channel update on your personal WhatsApp Status.
What Mark Zuckerberg said about new WhatsApp Channels update:
“We’re announcing a bunch of new features for WA channels including voice notes, multiple admins and sharing to status and polls, which is great because I need help settling a debate.”
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