Meta has launched WhatsApp Channels in the UAE and India, offering a new way for users to stay updated with their favourite individuals and organisations. WhatsApp Channels is described as a one-way broadcast tool that allows administrators to send text, images, videos, stickers, and polls to their followers. This feature can be accessed through a dedicated ‘Updates’ tab within the app, keeping it separate from users’ personal chats with friends and family.
WhatsApp Channels differentiates itself from WhatsApp Groups and Communities by its one-way communication approach. In a typical WhatsApp Group, members can exchange messages, media, and polls, whereas in Channels, only administrators can send updates while followers can react and share them. Meanwhile, WhatsApp Communities are designed for topic-based groups, allowing users to create communities and add related groups to them, with administrators sending announcements to members. This new feature aims to enhance communication options on the popular messaging platform, catering to various needs for both personal and professional interactions.