Know everything about WhatsApp Channels: A Comprehensive Guide

WhatsApp recently introduced a new feature known as Channels a few weeks back. You can find it in the Status tab, now renamed “Updates.” In simple terms, Channels seem like a way for famous people and influencers to send you stuff, and honestly, it’s not that exciting. Let’s break down what WhatsApp Channels are all about.

In today’s business world, everyone knows that good communication is key to connecting with customers. WhatsApp, being the most popular messaging app globally, has rolled out Channels. It’s like a fancy tool that helps brands and groups talk to more people at the same time and try out different ways of chatting.

So, what’s the deal with WhatsApp Channels? Well, they let users, especially businesses, talk to a bunch of customers or readers all at once. You can send all sorts of cool stuff like messages, pictures, videos, stickers, and even polls. It’s like having your own TV channel, but for chatting with a big group of people.

Now, let’s dive a bit deeper into how businesses can use WhatsApp Channels to make their customers happy and get more people interested in what they’re doing.

‣ WhatsApp Channels: Everything You Need To Know

Meta, the company behind WhatsApp, has introduced a new feature called WhatsApp Channels. These are like private news feeds where you can get updates from people or organizations you follow. Unlike regular WhatsApp groups, where everyone can chat, in a WhatsApp Channel, only the admin can send messages. It’s a one-way broadcast feature.

Meta has teamed up with celebrities in India so that people can “follow” them on WhatsApp Channels. But you can also create your own channel if you want. The cool thing is that when you follow a channel, others can’t see who else is following it. Your profile details and interactions with the channel’s content are private.

If you’re concerned about privacy, don’t worry too much. The channel admins can only see your profile photo next to emoji reactions or poll votes, depending on your settings. They can’t see your full phone number or profile name unless they have you saved as a contact.

To stay updated on things that interest you, follow channels of people and organizations. You’ll get updates like text, links, photos, or videos directly in WhatsApp. These updates appear in a separate tab, away from your personal chats and calls. It’s a bit different from regular chats because it’s more like a one-way broadcast instead of a conversation.

You can’t reply directly to updates or send messages to channel admins. But you can show your interest by voting on polls or adding emoji reactions to updates. To find your channels, go to the Updates tab (formerly the Status tab).

‣ Features of WhatsApp Channels

Now, businesses and regular users can tap into a nifty tool on WhatsApp, making connections and updates more personal. Let’s break down the cool features that come with WhatsApp Channels.

1. Enhanced Directory: Finding channels and content just got simpler! Thanks to the Enhanced Directory, you can easily spot channels and content tailored to your country and preferences. Plus, check out what’s new, popular, or buzzing based on follower count.
2. Reactions: Express yourself with emojis! React and give feedback without worry because your reactions stay private. They won’t show up for others to see, keeping your responses just between you and the channel.
3. Editing: No need to stress about typos or mistakes! With the editing feature, you can keep your chat history intact and make changes to your updates within a generous 30-day window. Your updates won’t vanish until after a month, giving you plenty of time to polish them up.
4. Forwarding: Sharing is caring, right? Easily forward updates to your chats or groups. Plus, you can add links back to the channel, ensuring your friends and groups have quick access to the shared content.
5. Privacy: Your data is safe! The privacy feature ensures that customer or follower data is stored securely without giving away any personal information to the brand. It’s a win-win for staying connected without compromising privacy.

‣ How to create a WhatsApp Channel?

Engage with your audience effortlessly by creating a dedicated channel on WhatsApp. Ensure you have an updated WhatsApp account, and if you’re using WhatsApp Business, the process remains unchanged. For added security, enable two-step verification for your WhatsApp account and the accounts of any administrators managing the channel.

Follow these steps to create your WhatsApp channel:

1. Open WhatsApp on your device (PC/Phone).
2. Navigate to the Updates tab.
3. Tap the + icon, then select Create Channel (iOS) or New Channel (Android).
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to proceed with the channel creation process.
5. Customize your channel by adding a description and an icon.
6. Finally, tap on Create Channel to finalize the setup.

This feature allows you to share updates seamlessly and ensures a secure environment for both you and your administrators. Keep your WhatsApp app updated to access these features effortlessly and enhance your communication strategy.

‣ How to find Channels to follow on WhatsApp?

Discovering interesting WhatsApp channels is easy through the Channel List, which is automatically filtered based on your country code and language preference. Follow these steps to explore more channels:

1. Open WhatsApp.
2. Navigate to the Updates tab.
3. Tap on the + icon >> select Find Channel
4. Alternatively, you can also see the “Find Channel” at the bottom of the Updates tab >> Tap “See all”
5. Tap the Follow button to subscribe to a channel.

While the process is straightforward, some users may find their Updates tab (formerly Status) becoming crowded with channel updates. It’s not uncommon to see queries like “how to remove WhatsApp Channels.” However, it’s essential to note that you can’t hide channels from the Updates tab; you can only delete a channel if you are its creator or you can unfollow a channel. This limitation reflects the platform’s design, emphasizing visibility and interaction with updates in the Updates tab.

‣ How to unfollow a Channel on WhatsApp?

Opting to unfollow a channel is a simple process that puts you in control of your notifications and updates. By choosing to unfollow, you can conveniently stop notifications and updates from a particular channel. This can be done in two primary ways: directly from the channel info page or within the channel interface.

A) Unfollowing from the Channel Info Page:

1. Navigate to the channel info page.
2. Here, you have two options to adjust your following preferences:
   • “Following” Icon: Indicates that you are currently following the channel. Simply tap on this icon to unfollow.
   • “Follow” Icon: Denotes that you are not following the channel. Tap on this icon to start following.

B) Unfollowing from Within the Channel:

1. Access the channel you wish to unfollow.
2. Tap on the more options menu (three dots).
3. Select the “Unfollow” option.
4. Confirm your decision by tapping “Unfollow.”

It’s important to note that channel administrators cannot unfollow a channel they manage using the options mentioned above. If an admin wishes to unfollow, they must first relinquish their administrative status and then proceed with the unfollow instructions outlined above.

This user-friendly approach empowers individuals to tailor their channel subscriptions, enhancing their overall experience within the platform.

‣ How to Add or Remove admins to your WhatsApp channel?

Channel admins have a range of responsibilities, including managing channel info, creating, editing, and deleting updates. As a channel owner, you have the ability to invite up to 16 admins simultaneously to assist in the management of your channel and its updates. The individuals you invite can be selected from your contacts.

As per WhatsApp you can make your channel followers also admin, however, in our experience, this is simply not the case. If the follower is not added to your phone’s contact directory, then you will not be able to see the follower’s information and make them admin.

It’s essential to consider the following points when extending admin invitations:

1. Visibility of Phone Numbers: When you invite someone to be a channel admin, the invitation is sent as a chat message from your personal WhatsApp account and not from the WhatsApp channel. Invited individuals will be able to see your phone number.
2. Admin Capabilities: Once an invitation is accepted, any admin has the authority to manage your channel info and create, edit, and delete updates. However, the ultimate control of deleting the channel rests with you as the channel owner.
3. Security Measures: Emphasize the importance of security by encouraging all admins to enable two-step verification for their accounts. This additional layer of protection enhances the overall security of your channel.

Additional Notes:

• Admins, who are not owners, do not have the privilege to invite or dismiss other admins.
• As the channel owner, you can easily access the list of invited and current admins at the top of your follower list on the channel info page.
• Channel invitations come with an expiration date:
  • After 7 days if not accepted.
  • Upon acceptance by the invited admin.
  • If the invitation is revoked by the channel owner.

A) How to invite a follower to become admin of your WhatsApp channel?

It is also noteworthy to note that you can only invite those contacts as admins who are following your WhatsApp channel. Also, the functionality of inviting admins is not available on WhatsApp phone application. You must use https://web.whatsapp.com/ on your PC to invite contacts as admins who are following your channel.

1. Open https://web.whatsapp.com/ on your PC.
2. Click on Channel’s icon and Select your channel from the list.

3. Click on three dots and select “Channel info.”

4. Scroll down and you will be able to see the list of contacts who are following your channels.
5. Hover over the person whom you want to invite as the admin.
6. Click on downwards arrow > select “Invite as channel admin.”

7. You will get a popup confirmation where you can enter a customized message to invite the person as channel admin and hit on the send button.

• Channel invitations come with an expiration date:
  • After 7 days if not accepted.
  • Upon acceptance by the invited admin.
  • If the invitation is revoked by the channel owner.

B) How to dismiss a follower as admin from your WhatsApp channel?

The option to dismiss a follower as admin of your WhatsApp channel is only available on PC. Therefore, you must first login to your WhatsApp account on your PC.

1. Open https://web.whatsapp.com/ on your PC.
2. Click on Channel’s icon and Select your channel from the list.

3. Click on three dots and select “Channel info.”

4. Scroll down and you will be able to see the list of contacts who are following your channels.
5. Hover over the person whom you want to dismiss as the admin.
6. Click on downwards arrow > select “Dismiss as admin.”

7. You will get a popup confirmation asking whether you want to remove the person as admin of your WhatsApp channel.

If you’re a channel admin looking to remove yourself, locate your name within the channel follower list, click on it, and then choose the option “Dismiss as admin > OK.”

Important notes:

1. The channel owner or admin receives notifications when someone is dismissed.
2. Dismissed admins remain followers of the channel.

This comprehensive guide ensures a clear understanding of the roles, responsibilities, and security considerations for both channel owners and admins in managing a WhatsApp channel effectively.

‣ How to transfer ownership of your WhatsApp channel?

Regrettably, unlike Facebook pages where you can transfer ownership of a Facebook page to different accounts, WhatsApp doesn’t offer this feature at the moment. It’s important to understand that admins and channel owners are not the same. Admins can handle things like managing channel info and making updates, but the power to delete the channel or dismiss other admins lies solely with the channel owner.

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‣ FAQs about WhatsApp Channels

1. What are WhatsApp Channels, and how do they differ from regular groups?

• WhatsApp Channels are private news feeds introduced by Meta, the company behind WhatsApp. Unlike regular groups, only the admin can send messages in a channel, making it a one-way broadcast feature. It serves as a platform for individuals, businesses, and celebrities to share updates with followers.

2. How can I follow a WhatsApp Channel?

• To follow a WhatsApp Channel, go to the Updates tab (formerly Status), tap the “+” icon, and select “Find Channel.” Alternatively, you can see “Find Channel” at the bottom of the Updates tab. Browse through the Channel List, select a channel, and tap the “Follow” button.

3. Can I create my own WhatsApp Channel, and how do I do it?

• Yes, you can create your own WhatsApp Channel. Open WhatsApp, go to the Updates tab, tap the “+” icon, and select “Create Channel” (iOS) or “New Channel” (Android). Follow the on-screen prompts, customize your channel with a description and icon, and tap “Create Channel” to finalize the setup.

4. How do I unfollow a WhatsApp Channel?

• To unfollow a channel, go to the channel info page and tap the “Following” icon to unfollow. Alternatively, within the channel, tap on the three dots, select “Unfollow,” and confirm your decision. Remember, channel admins cannot unfollow a channel they manage without first relinquishing their administrative status.

5. How can I add or remove admins to my WhatsApp Channel?

• As a channel owner, you can invite up to 16 admins to assist in managing your channel. Invite followers as admins by accessing the channel info page on your PC (https://web.whatsapp.com/), clicking on the follower’s name, and selecting “Invite as channel admin.” Admins can’t invite or dismiss other admins, and the channel owner retains control.

6. Can I transfer ownership of my WhatsApp Channel?

• No, WhatsApp does not currently support the transfer of ownership for channels. While admins can manage certain aspects of the channel, including updates and channel info, only the channel owner has the power to delete the channel or dismiss other admins. Ownership transfer, as seen on Facebook pages, is not available on WhatsApp at the moment.

7. What type of content can I share on WhatsApp Channels?

• You can share various content, including messages, pictures, videos, stickers, and polls. It’s like having your own TV channel for communicating with a large group of people.

8. How do I find interesting WhatsApp Channels to follow?

• Open WhatsApp, go to the Updates tab, and tap on the “+” icon. Select “Find Channel” or tap “See all.” The Channel List is automatically filtered based on your country code and language preference.

9. Is my privacy protected when following WhatsApp Channels?

• Yes, your privacy is safeguarded. Channel admins can only see your profile photo next to emoji reactions or poll votes, depending on your settings. They cannot see your full phone number or profile name unless they have you saved as a contact.

The information found above is curated from reliable sources. Slash Insider is not responsible for its completeness or accuracy. We strive to deliver reliable articles but encourage readers to verify details independently.