WhatsApp adds new features to Channels: Voice notes, polls, and more

Messaging platform WhatsApp has rolled out several new features for its Channels broadcasting tool, aimed at boosting user engagement.

Channels allow public figures, businesses and organizations to share updates with an audience.

WhatsApp Channels New Features

In an announcement, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said voice notes and polls have been incorporated into Channels.

This will allow admins to connect with followers in new ways. Voice notes are already a hugely popular format, with 7 billion exchanged daily on WhatsApp.

Polls give admins insight into audience opinions through interactive surveys.

To showcase the new polling feature, Zuckerberg created a Channel poll asking users to vote for the "best game of all time".

This gives a taste of how Channels admins can tap into audiences to gain perspectives. Polls transform passive viewers into engaged participants through concise questions and multiple answer options.

WhatsApp is also making it easier to spread Channel content through a new "Share to Status" option. Users can share engaging updates from their favorite Channels on their personal Status for wider reach.

Additionally, the platform will now support up to 16 admins per Channel for streamlined group management. This ensures the efficient dissemination of timely information to audiences.

Growing Reach of Channels

Since launching last year, Channels has amassed 500 million monthly users receiving news from celebrities, brands and organizations privately within the WhatsApp platform.

These updates aim to offer additional engagement tools to publishers and give audiences more interactive ways to connect with their favorite Channels.

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