WhatsApp Channels sees global rollout, includes UAE and Saudi Arabia

Image: Meta/ Supplied

Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg has announced the rollout of WhatsApp Channels globally. This feature enables a ‘private’ way for people to receive updates that are relevant to them.

The rollout  includes the UAE and Saudi Arabia, where the feature will be gradually released to all users over the coming days.

As part of the rollout, Zuckerberg also launched his WhatsApp Channel where he’ll share Meta news and product updates.

The platform has also welcomed new partners, such as Olivia Rodrigo, Netflix, David Guetta, Billboard, MLB, that people can start to follow, right within WhatsApp.

Channels is a one-way broadcast feature that allows admins to send text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls to their followers.

The feature will be discoverable via a searchable directory.

You can also get to a channel from invite links sent in chats, e-mail, or posted online.

Key features of Whatsapp Channels

• Privacy: As a channel admin, your phone number and profile photo won’t be shown to followers. Likewise, following a channel won’t reveal your phone number to the admin or other followers. Who you decide to follow is your choice and it’s private.
• Prioritising user preference: Admins will not be able to add followers to their channel.
• Control for admins: Admins can decide who can follow their channel and whether they want their channel to be discoverable in the directory or not.
• Separate to your main chat: WhatsApp Channels will appear in a new tab called Updates – where you’ll find Status and channels you choose to follow – separate from your chats with family, friends, and communities. You can now search the directory to find Channels that interest you and follow sports teams, updates from local officials, and more.
• Relevance: Channel history will only be stored on Whatsapp’s servers for 30 days, and we’ll add ways to make updates disappear even faster from follower’s devices.

Moon Baz, creator partnerships lead, Africa, Middle East and Turkey at Meta, said: “WhatsApp Channels aspires to be the most private broadcast service available, helping users receive updates from the organisations and people that are important to them in a reliable, safe and private way.

“We’re excited to be bringing Channels to WhatsApp users globally and to be supporting creators in the UAE and Saudi Arabia to engage with their audiences in new, diverse ways.”

Regional businesses, government entities and media outlets have already activated Channels to expand their reach.

Additionally, Channels is another strong tool for creators to reach a wide community in unconventional ways.

Adel Al-Adwani, travel content creator known as @ibnfatota, said: “I’m thrilled to bring my community a step closer into my world through WhatsApp Channels. It’s a new horizon of communication for travel, food, and adventure enthusiasts, where we get to explore the globe together. Here, I have the opportunity to share travel tips, savour local cuisines, and uncover helpful facts from premier lodging options to must-visit destinations, enriching our collective experience.”