WhatsApp Channels now available in over 150 countries

WhatsApp today announced the expanded availability of WhatsApp Channels feature, a private broadcast service. WhatsApp Channels is now available in over 150 countries. Channels are different from regular WhatsApp chats. The Channels you follow will not be visible to other followers. Also, the personal information of both admins and followers will remain private. Also, you can’t be added to a channel automatically by Channel admins.

Based on the feedback received from consumers over the past few months, WhatsApp is bringing following improvements to Channels feature:

• Enhanced Directory – you can now find channels to follow that are automatically filtered based on your country. You can also view channels that are new, most active, and popular based on number of followers.
• Reactions – you can react using emojis to give feedback and see a count of total reactions. How you react will not be shown to followers.
• Editing – soon, admins will be able to make changes to their Updates for up to 30 days, when we automatically delete them from our servers.
• Forwarding – whenever you forward an Update to chats or groups it will include a link back to the channel so people can find out more.

WhatsApp plans to add more features to Channels in the coming months.