WhatsApp introduced its popular channels feature in India in June last year. WhatsApp Channels function as a conduit for unidirectional communication, enabling administrators to disseminate text messages, photos, videos, stickers, and polls. The company is in the process of crafting a searchable directory aimed at facilitating user exploration of channels aligned with their interests.
Now a new report has revealed that the Meta-owned app is working on a feature to suggest similar channels. The report by WABetaInfo reveals that the upcoming WhatsApp Channels feature will be available in the future update.
According to the report, WhatsApp is currently working on a feature to recommend new channels for users to follow in a forthcoming update of the app. When users decide to follow a new channel or view information from a channel they already follow, WhatsApp will propose a list of similar channels based on their relevance and likeness to other existing channels. It’s important to highlight that only verified channels will be recommended, thus guaranteeing users receive suggestions from credible sources. Additionally, it’s noteworthy that these suggestions are grounded in the similarity of channel content rather than personalised algorithms analysing individual user interests.
“Many users may not be aware of all the channels available on WhatsApp that cater to their interests. By suggesting similar channels, WhatsApp will help users discover a wider range of content that they may find relevant and engaging. In addition, we believe that WhatsApp also supports channel owners by expanding their reach to a broader audience thanks to this feature,” adds the report.