WhatsApp's new feature called WhatsApp Communities is built to help support larger discussion groups. The feature is now available to a few more users as it gets closer to its official public launch.
WhatsApp is Adding a New WhatsApp Communities Feature
According to the story by Tech Crunch, the company did not want to share details regarding how many users were able to try out the new feature. They also did not say which countries were also able to get the new feature.
WhatsApp, however, confirmed that a lot of users finally have access to the new feature called WhatsApp Communities. The feature was first announced in April and aims to re-create the "popularity of Facebook's Groups within a messaging app environment."
New Feature Allows Users to Make Group Calls for Up to 32 People and More
The app was created by WhatsApp end users and communities will include certain features that aim to add structure to larger groups chats. The new features include the ability to support file sharing, being able to make group calls to 32-people, and emoji reactions.
The new feature also aims to roll out admin tools as well as moderation tools for the chats to be able to self-moderate. This will make it easier for admins and moderators to handle whatever happens within their group.
Feature Could be Attractive to Organizations or Clubs Because of Engagement in Different Private Platforms
To add to the way the feature capitalizes on end-to-end encryption as more people try to communicate within the private communities on top of other social networks, the new feature, as per the article, will challenge competitors like Telegram.
The feature could also become popular among different organizations or clubs that need a platform to engage in group chats across different private platforms like GroupMe, iMessage, Band, Remind, and others.
Admins Will be Given the Ability to Create Smaller Sub-Groups for Members
One thing that makes the feature more attractive to larger groups is that discussions don't have to take place within a singular chat. Admins will be able to share announcements to all of the members of the Community through the use of the main announcement group.
The main announcement group is capable of supporting thousands of users. Admins can also create smaller sub-groups for members to chat with each other much easier.
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WhatsApp Communities Cannot be Searched for on the Platform and are Not Open to the Public
Unlike Facebook Groups, WhatsApp Communities cannot be searched for on the platform and are not open to the public. In order to join a Community, users have to receive an invite.
As per Android Police and WABetaInfo, certain beta testers for WhatsApp were newly reporting that they suddenly received the ability to create a community. The report also noted that the feature did not include an option to hide the users' phone numbers from other sub-group members.
The option to hide phone numbers from other members within the group, however, is still expected to launch soon once the feature officially becomes public.
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This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Urian B.
