WhatsApp launches new Communities feature
WhatsApp is launching a new Communities feature that brings together multiple chats and unique features such as polls within one simple and intuitive hub.
Set to arrive on Thursday (10th November), the Communities feature will finally allow an admin to connect multiple group chats together so that users can switch easily between relevant topics of discussion.
Meta says that the feature has been created primarily for school parents, workplaces and neighbourhood communities that often have common interests.
WhatsApp Communities will consist of a main group chat and other smaller chats, with admins able to keep everybody informed with announcements.
Users will also be able to “easily” switch between each of the groups in a community.
“With Communities, we’re aiming to raise the bar for how organisations communicate with a level of privacy and security not found anywhere else,” WhatsApp said in an official announcement.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg believes that the update will make “groups better”.
There will be other useful features available, including in-chat polls, file sharing, reactions and video calls.
Meta says that up to 32 people will soon be able to take part in the same video call.
To create a WhatsApp community, users will have to navigate to the ‘New Chat’ tab and then click on ‘New Community’.
They will then be able to add a name and description for the group and upload a photo, before creating new groups within communities or adding existing ones.
The update is set to roll out on iPhone and Android this week.
Meta says that more changes will be made to the app in the coming months.