Let’s discover together, in this dedicated guide, what WhatsApp channels are and how they work, the latest addition to the most used messaging app globally
Today we are happy to introduce Channels – a simple, reliable and private way to receive important updates from people and organizations directly on WhatsApp. We’re rolling out channels in a new tab called Updates, where you’ll find your status and channels you choose to follow separate from chats with friends, family, and communities.
This is how WhatsApp, via its official blog, presented the channels way back in June 2023. Three months have passed and now, finally, the new function is starting to activate in all phones that have the most popular messaging application used globally. With this tool, Content creators of any type can send texts, photos, videos, stickers or create polls. If you were wondering, yes, exactly how Telegram namesakes work.
How do WhatsApp channels work? Let’s see it together
Before finding out how WhatsApp Channels work, let’s see, specifically, what they are. Conceptually they are pages that can be created by any user using the application and who automatically becomes the administrator. On this personal page, the user can share whatever comes to mind with written posts or images, but also videos and stickers. The ability to create surveys was also activated immediately.
They differ from the community for a basic factor: the channels are a place where communication goes one way, from the administrator to those who follow him, without the possibility of a response from the user. However, followers will be able to “react” to messages, therefore being able to interact, even if indirectly, with their creators. The same messages can be forwarded to other chats.
Privacy | Whatsapp channels: what are they and how do they work?
As with Telegram channels, the phone numbers of users or administrators will not be viewable, to maintain the privacy of both parties. Again, the channel history it will remain on WhatsApp servers for a maximum of 30 days, but followers can also decide to make them stay for less time. To conclude the privacy discussion, the channels are not end-to-end encrypted (so everything you publish will be visible to both subscribers and non-subscribers, as well as WhatsApp).
You will find the channels in the Directory where you can search for them, using keywords, using the classic search functionality to find the topics that interest you. You can also access them via invitation links, also published online. The Channels are available in the new tab, which has replaced the old Status, called Updates, where followers will see messages from their creators appear.
How to create a Channel? | Whatsapp channels: what are they and how do they work?
To create a WhatsApp channel, you will obviously need to have an account on the platform and the app installed on your device (be it Android, iPhone or PC, also via WhatsApp Web). As for iOS and Android, after launching the app, access the Updates tab. At the bottom right you will find a “+”, touch it and then select the New channel item. Next, tap “start”. If you access via WhatsApp Web, you will find the Channels icon at the top between the Status and New Chat icons. Click on the “+” button and then “Create Channel”. In both cases, continue with “Continue”. Warning: if you don’t find the word Create channel after pressing the “+”, the function has not yet been implemented in your app.
From here the two procedures converge. You can select the name of your channel (which can then be changed later), as well as the description and image. Once everything has been added, you can click on the Create channel item to formalize the opening of your personal channel, where you can start publishing your updates just like when you use a chat on WhatsApp. To do this, click on Updates, find your channel, open it and… write whatever you want!
How to subscribe and unsubscribe to a Channel? | Whatsapp channels: what are they and how do they work?
And what if you want to subscribe to some specific channel? To find channels that interest you, you can browse the complete list of channels, filtered by the international prefix of your telephone number and the language of your device, but you can also explore it in other languages by filtering it from the options. WhatsApp will still provide you with a list of recommended channels, based on popularity. In the end, you can access specific channels via external link, perhaps shared by the administrator himself or by some interested friend like you. Consider that WhatsApp also helps you in your choice by indicating which ones are verified, via the classic check mark.
Among the various categories with which to browse the channels you will obviously find: New, Most Popular or Most Active and you can also filter them based on your interests (culture, video games, sports, technology, whatever you like). Or, more simply, if you know the name of a specific channel or a particular creator, you can use the classic search bar always present at the top and speed things up.
To subscribe quickly, simply use the “+” in the Directory next to the channel name. Otherwise, open the channel e from the home page click “sign up” at the top right. To cancel a subscription, however, access the Channels item and open the one you want to unsubscribe from, touch the three dots at the top right and then “Unsubscribe”.
How to delete a channel?
If you are a creator who wants to delete a channel, first of all know that it is a choice you cannot go back from. Your readers will still be able to find it, but an automatic message will confirm the deletion. Go to the Updates page, tap your Channel, open it and tap the name. From here click Delete channel and confirm by clicking Delete. Before deleting it, WhatsApp will ask you to confirm your phone number and to tap Delete again.
Happy continuation!
And here we are, this was everything you need to know about how the new WhatsApp Channels work. Let us know what you think of this new opportunity given by the most used messaging application globally and stay tuned with us at techgameworld.com for all the updates regarding the world of technology!