WhatsApp Channels now available in India and globally

Popular instant messaging app WhatsApp has launched WhatsApp Channels to let users create one-way broadcast channels and share updates with followers. WhatsApp Channels are now available across 150 countries, including India.

WhatsApp Channels are a one-way broadcast tool that allows admins to send text, images, videos, stickers, and polls to their followers. Channels can be found in a new tab called Updates on WhatsApp, where users can also view Status updates and the channels they choose to follow.

Many celebrities, sports teams, artists, and creators, including the Indian Cricket team, Katrina Kaif, Diljit Dosanjh, Akshay Kumar, and Vijay Deverakonda, have created WhatsApp Channels to connect with their followers.

Users can discover new WhatsApp Channels using the enhanced directory to follow. The channels are automatically filtered based on the user’s country, and they can also view channels that are new, most active, and popular based on the number of followers. Moreover, users can react using emojis to give feedback and see a count of total reactions. How you react will not be shown to followers. When a user forwards an Update to chat or groups, it will include a link back to the WhatsApp Channel so another member can find out more.

Following a WhatsApp Channel does not reveal the personal information of the admins or the followers, and the followers cannot reply or interact with the admins. Admins can also block screenshots and forwards from their channels. Further, the company will only store the channel history for up to 30 days. In a future update, admins will have the option to choose who can follow their channel and whether they want their channel to be discoverable in the directory.

WhatsApp says it will continue to add more features and expand Channels based on user feedback, and over the coming months, any users will be able to create their own WhatsApp Channel.