WhatsApp's Latest Upgrade: Explore Directory Search and Reaction Support in 150 Countries, India Included

Photo Credit: WhatsApp

The Meta-owned messaging service, WhatsApp, is rolling out its latest feature called Channels that are designed to increase engagement on the platform. It's available to users in India and 150 other countries and allows people to search from a directory for content created by their favorite creators, businesses, or celebs. Plus, you can react to messages sent by the channel owner. Mark Zuckerberg announced the news on his channel, and you can join the official WhatsApp Channel to stay up to date. It's similar to a feature that Instagram has plus Telegram allows people to join broadcast channels.

You'll now find a new tab on your iOS or Android WhatsApp called 'Updates' - Here you can access WhatsApp Channels, Status messages, and a directory sorted by country. Plus, you can browse channels based on the number of followers, how active they are, and how new they are on the app.

You can join a WhatsApp Channel if you have a valid invitation link. To protect your privacy, the app won't show who made the channel or who else is in it. Messages stay in the channel for 30 days, and you can react to them but not reply. The messages won't have end-to-end encryption, but everything else like direct messages, group chats, calls, status messages, and attachments will still be protected. To get people to use the new feature, WhatsApp has teamed up with the Indian Cricket team and celebs like Diljit Dosanjh, Neha Kakkar, and Katrina Kaif who have created their channels. Soon, anyone will be able to make their channel.