WhatsApp is adding a feature that would give channel admins more power. The feature would allow users to choose what emoji should followers be using when reacting.
WhatsApp Channels New Feature Would Allow Users to React to Messages with Emojis
According to the story by Android Police, the company has long had the message broadcast features for many types of communications. These features, however, have been limited until the Channels messaging app came along.
Channels, according to the article, is a messaging app that brought an all-new method of communication when it comes to one-way messaging to a few markets. This took some features from its competition and also follows in the footsteps of another app, Telegram.
It was reported that Channels is getting a new feature that would make the app even more interactive when it came to end users. This would be by adding the ability for users to do something like make traditional newsletters.
Users Can Only React Through Emojis but Still Won't be Able to Reply to the Posts
Channels reportedly assist when it comes to broadcasting messages from creators or sending a message out to multiple people in one single launch. It was noted that since the feature was designed to be a one-way form of communication, there's no option for subscribers to respond to creator messages.
Although the fact that users won't be able to react won't change, it was noted that users would be given another way to potentially interact, through reactions. The article reports that users might be given the opportunity to react to the channel messages.
The feature was reportedly spotted by WABetaInfo through looking at the Channel settings. It was noted that they found out that users would be able to use emoji reactions in the WhatsApp beta version.
The New Option Would Give Channel Users the Same Ability to React with Emojis Like in Personal and Group Chats
This means users will be able to react to Channel messages by choosing their favorite emojis, which is something that can already be done in both personal and group chats. The feature would bring WhatsApp Channel closer to Instagram's Broadcast channels.
Instagram's Broadcast channels already allow subscribers to use emoji reactions. The new setting for Channels on WhatsApp would provide creators with three different choices when it comes to the type of emojis that followers can use.
Admins to Also Allow Users Not to React at All
Admins would also be given the option to not allow subscribers to react at all. However, if they choose to allow subscribers to react, they would be given six default emojis, which could allow them to keep the chat stream "uncluttered" and "civil."
It was announced that the new options are already available for beta users. This means that despite users being in eligible regions, they still won't be able to use the option.
However, users can also try to install the latest WhatsApp beta version directly from APKMirror. Once installed, users can check directly as to whether the new setting is available for Channels.
