WhatsApp, an instant messaging company owned by Meta, is reported to be working on an Android beta version of a message reaction function for channels.
Admin will be able to adjust various parameters for specific channels through a new section called “Channel settings,” which is planned to debut with the new features.
Channel admins will reportedly be able to restrict what reactions members can send. This move follows the successful debut of the message reaction features in the community announcement group.
According to the study, “in reality, this was not so unexpected since the community announcement group already provides users with the ability to react to messages,” and this discovery exclusively serves to corroborate their plans.
The message reaction features for channels are still under development and will be included in a future app update.
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Admin can restrict reactions with this feature
When this new function is released, it will include a fresh menu section named “Channel settings,” in which channel admins may adjust various parameters. Among these features is the ability for channel admins to restrict the reactions their followers can send. The goal of this change is to offer channel admins more say over the flow of conversation and activity in their spaces.
This function is very similar to Telegram’s Channel functionality, where users who are subscribed to certain channels may also reply to messages sent there. This update from WhatsApp may seem trivial, but it really reflects the company’s efforts to catch up to rivals, particularly in terms of channel features.
WABetaInfo reports that this function may come in handy when maintaining an appropriate degree of seriousness is called for since the usage of certain emojis in such messages could bother the channel’s other subscribers. WhatsApp’s “Default only” setting is designed to solve this issue by disabling the usage of any emoji as a reaction.
The “Channel settings” tab discovered
By doing so, WhatsApp hopes to avoid misunderstandings and minimise possible inconvenience. The platform understands that this feature may restrict the number of available emojis for use. Thus, the channel admin will have the ability to activate the “any emoji” feature, allowing for more expressive reactions.
WhatsApp’s text reaction function was initially launched for use in community groups. Without revealing their personal information, people may share their thoughts on messages shared in community announcement groups. Based on the popularity of this feature in groups, WhatsApp has decided to roll it out to channels as well.
After seeing how well it functioned in community announcement groups, the introduction of text reactions for channels was rather expected. The “Channel settings” tab’s discovery, on the other hand, is further evidence that WhatsApp plans to implement this feature into channels.