WhatsApp Channels Enhances User Experience with Polls, Voice Notes, and Status Updates

In a bid to enhance user engagement, WhatsApp Channels, Meta’s broadcasting feature, is set to receive several new tools. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the updates, including a polling feature, voice notes, and the ability to share Channel updates on Status. WhatsApp Channels, introduced last year, serves as a one-way broadcasting tool for organisations and public figures to share updates with their followers on the messaging platform.

The upcoming features aim to boost interaction on Channels. Admins will now be able to conduct polls, engaging members in decision-making. Additionally, the ability to send updates in the form of voice notes will provide a more direct and personal touch to communication. Users can also share Channel updates on their Status by selecting the desired update, choosing ‘Forward,’ and then selecting ‘My Status.’ Furthermore, the update introduces the capability to add multiple admins for a Channel.

WhatsApp Channels has received regular updates since its launch, with a beta update in November 2023 allowing Channel admins to share Stickers. The platform had also been spotted working on integrating polls into Channels during the same month. The original launch of Channels in June aimed to provide a simple, reliable, and private means for users to receive important updates from organisations and individuals directly within WhatsApp.

With over 2 billion global users on WhatsApp, Channels has quickly become a popular feature, crossing 500 million monthly active users within the first seven weeks of its launch, according to Zuckerberg. The tool has seen collaboration with sports teams like the Indian Cricket team and public figures such as Diljit Dosanjh and Katrina Kaif, offering dedicated Channels for regular updates. The continuous improvements highlight WhatsApp’s commitment to providing a dynamic and engaging user experience on its platform.