WhatsApp, the digital whisperer of our times, is the brainchild of two minds- Jan Koum and Brian Acton that birthed in 2009. Since then, it has been nothing short of a communication revolution. This enchanting application, adorned with the protective cloak of end-to-end encryption, ensures that our secrets remain locked away from prying eyes. It’s more than just a messaging app; it’s a bridge that connects souls across oceans, a conduit of laughter and love, and a stage for the drama of everyday life.
WhatsApp allows you to send text messages, orchestrate voice and video calls, and send multimedia gems to your heart’s content. It’s a canvas for creativity, a podium for sharing life’s quirks, and a sanctuary where emojis and GIFs tell stories words cannot.
WhatsApp is more than just a tool for personal stories; it also helps businesses. It allows companies to connect with customers, share news, and provide support. This ever-improving app protects your privacy and remains a reliable tool for exploring the digital world of communication.
Did You Know?
- WhatsApp boasts over 2.7 billion monthly active users across more than 180 nations.
- India leads in WhatsApp users, with a staggering 535.8 million people using the platform.
- A staggering 140 billion messages are traded on WhatsApp daily.
- Meta, the parent company, possesses WhatsApp, in addition to Instagram and Facebook.
- WhatsApp has amassed a remarkable 5 billion downloads on the Google Play Store, making it one of the most downloaded apps on the platform.
Zuckerberg’s Twist
With Elon Musk taking control of Twitter, which has been rebranded as X, WhatsApp recognized a significant chance to appeal to users who were dissatisfied with X’s recent policies.
This is where WhatsApp Channels come into play.
This feature was introduced in India and 150 other countries worldwide earlier this week.
Why?
Its primary objective is to entice some of X’s user base, offering a one-way broadcast channel.
Hence, we have compiled this blog to discuss what this new feature entails and how businesses can benefit from it.
Let’s get started!
What exactly are WhatsApp Channels?
WhatsApp Channels serve as a unidirectional communication platform, tailor-made for celebrities and businesses seeking to maintain a direct connection with their clientele. As per Meta’s official blog, WhatsApp Channels enable individuals to effortlessly receive pertinent updates directly within the WhatsApp interface.
Administrators have the capability to dispatch a variety of content through WhatsApp Channels, including text messages, videos, images, polls, and stickers. You can locate Channels in a fresh section named “Updates” within WhatsApp. Here, you’ll discover both Status updates and the channels you’ve opted to follow, distinct from your conversations with family, friends, and communities.
WhatsApp channels are essentially expanding the existing Status feature, making it available to celebrities, sports teams, and individuals who wish to share their updates with a specific audience. This new feature aligns with Meta’s goal of increasing user engagement and retaining these users on the platform for longer durations.
Quick Note: WhatsApp Channels have been introduced by prominent figures such as the Indian Cricket team, Katrina Kaif, Diljit Dosanjh, Akshay Kumar, and Vijay Deverakonda.
Distinctive Features of WhatsApp Channels
Upgraded Directory
Discover channels to follow effortlessly, with automatic filtering based on your location. Additionally, explore new, highly active, and popular channels, categorized by their follower count.
Express Reactions
Share your sentiments through emojis to provide feedback and see the collective reaction count. Your specific reaction remains private and won’t be visible to your followers.
Seamless Forwarding
Whenever you forward an update to chats or groups, it conveniently includes a direct link back to the channel, facilitating easy access for others to learn more.
Limited Channel History
During the Channels announcement, Meta explicitly stated its intention to retain a channel’s updates for a mere 30-day period. Furthermore, channel administrators have the option to prevent followers from taking screenshots of their updates.
Privacy Assurance
When you opt to follow a channel, Meta ensures that your phone number remains concealed from both the channel’s administrator and its other members. Administrators also retain the authority to determine who can follow their channels and whether their channels will be discoverable to the general public or not.
Activating WhatsApp Channels
Getting Started with Channels is a breeze, requiring just a few clicks and a nod to Meta’s terms and conditions.
Begin by updating your WhatsApp through either the App Store or Google Play Store. Once updated, you’ll be presented with a prompt to accept Meta’s terms. Once agreed, the Status tab will change into the “Updates” section, granting you access to not only your contacts’ Status updates but also the intriguing new Channels feature.
Inside this “Updates” tab, you’ll have a comprehensive view, featuring both your contacts’ Status updates and the latest updates from the Channels you’ve thoughtfully chosen to follow.
Now that we have an overview of the feature, let us discuss-
How to Unlock Your Brand’s Potential with WhatsApp Channels?
In the glitzy world of showbiz, every star is a walking, talking brand in their own right. They’re not just raking in the big bucks from their signature talents, but a hefty chunk of their fortune comes from endorsements and promotions. It’s the promotional game that truly keeps the celebrity wheels turning.
Now, picture this: you’re a celebrity, and what’s your most prized possession?
Your fans, of course!
Staying connected with your fan base is gold. On the flip side, fans are always hungry for the inside scoop on their beloved celebs’ lives.
Think about the celebrities who boast over millions of followers on the platform X.
Now, here’s where the magic happens- Imagine those followers as your ideal audience, and envision yourself launching your latest product right where they hang out most of the time.
That’s where WhatsApp Channels come into play. It’s your golden ticket to connecting directly with your current customers and potential ones.
Your mission?
Keep that top-notch content flowing and your audience captivated.
And when the moment comes for your shiny new product or feature to hit the spotlight, you’ll have an eager and engaged audience waiting to lap it up.
But that’s not all, folks! Meta, the brains behind WhatsApp Channels, has some big news too. They’re gearing up to let anyone create their own Channels soon. The possibilities for your business are as boundless as the universe.
So, dive into Channels, get those creative gears turning, and brace yourself for the next tidal wave in the world of WhatsApp.
It’s time to shine like the superstar you are!
Wondering How?
Get in touch with the digital marketing team at 18th DigiTech today and leave it all on to us.
