Whatsapp Channels Feature : How to Get Benefits, Check Complete Process

Whatsapp Channels Feature 2023 – As per our reader’s demand and comments, we are publishing this article. If you want to know about the Whatsapp Channels Feature “Channels” 2023, continue reading and learn more.

Whatsapp Channels Feature

WhatsApp has launched a new feature called “Channels”, which allows accounts to send one-way broadcasts to followers in the form of text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls. Channels is a one-way broadcast tool for admins to send updates to followers, and it is designed specifically for one-to-many broadcasts rather than conversation.

Channels messages will show up in a new tab called Updates. Users can find channels by searching for them in WhatsApp or by browsing in a newly created directory, and see their most recent updates in the Status section of the app.

WhatsApp is focusing on facilitating channels for use by entities such as NGOs, medical research institutions, and fact-checking bodies, as opposed to individual creators.

WhatsApp is planning to build payment and other monetization services into channels. Following a channel won’t reveal your phone number to the admin or other followers. Channels is more or less a copy of a similar feature on rival chat app Telegram of the same name.

How to Create a Channel on WhatsApp?

Here are the steps to create a channel on WhatsApp:

Method 1: Using WhatsApp Cloud API

Open your Chatwoot dashboard and go to Settings → Inboxes → Add Inbox.
Click on the “WhatsApp” icon.
Choose “WhatsApp Cloud API” and follow the instructions to configure your Facebook Developer App.
Create a system user in the System Users tab of Business Manager.
Add the system user and generate an access token for the user, which will be required as the API key for setting up an inbox in Chatwoot.

Method 2: Using Interaction Connect

Expand the WhatsApp section and click Add WhatsApp Account.
Click Create.
In the Social Media view, in the Account dropdown list, select the WhatsApp account.
In Name, type a name for this WhatsApp channel.
Click Create.

Method 3: Using WhatsApp App

Create a group as usual by opening the drop-down menu in the upper right corner of the screen and tapping New Group.
Add the contacts you want to include in the channel.
Tap on the group name and select “Group Info.”
Tap on “Edit Group Info.”
Change the group name to the name you want for your channel.
Change the group icon to the icon you want for your channel.
Remove the participants’ ability to send messages by selecting “Only Admins” in the “Send Messages” option.
Save the changes.

Note: WhatsApp is still testing the Channels feature, and it is not yet available to all users.

What is the difference between a WhatsApp channel and a WhatsApp group?

WhatsApp channels and WhatsApp groups are different in terms of their purpose and functionality. Here are the main differences between them:

WhatsApp Channels:

One-way communication tool for admins to send updates to followers.
Designed specifically for one-to-many broadcasts rather than conversation.
Messages show up in a new tab called Updates.
Focused on facilitating channels for use by entities such as NGOs, medical research institutions, and fact-checking bodies, as opposed to individual creators.
The company is planning to build payment and other monetization services into channels.

WhatsApp Groups:

Two-way communication tool for members to hold discussions and communicate with each other.
Members can reply to each other’s messages privately or in the group.
All members can share their desired content unless restricted by the group admin.
Users can send media like pictures, videos, and documents, their location, and share contacts in the group.
Users can forward messages to anyone individually.
WhatsApp groups have Polls by which users can give their opinions as well.
Users can react to the messages and also select one to reply to.
WhatsApp groups are created for mutual interaction and participation.

How to follow a channel on WhatsApp?

To follow a channel on WhatsApp, you can follow these steps:

Find the channel you want to follow by searching for it in WhatsApp or browsing in a newly created directory.
Once you find the channel, click on it to open it.
Click on the “Follow” button to start following the channel.
The channel’s messages will show up in a new tab called Updates, separate from chats with family, friends, and group chats/communities.
You can unfollow the channel at any time by clicking on the “Unfollow” button.

Note: Following a channel won’t reveal your phone number to the admin or other followers.

How to unfollow a channel on WhatsApp?

To unfollow a channel on WhatsApp, you can follow these steps:

Open the channel you want to unfollow.
Tap on the “More options” button (three dots icon) in the top right corner of the screen.
Tap on “Unfollow.”
Confirm that you want to unfollow the channel by tapping “Unfollow” again.

Note: Following a channel won’t reveal your phone number to the admin or other followers.

Can you reply to messages sent in a WhatsApp channel?

Yes, you can reply to messages sent in a WhatsApp channel. Here are the steps to reply to a message in a WhatsApp channel:

Open the WhatsApp channel where you want to reply to a message.
Find the message you want to reply to and swipe right on it.
Enter your response in the text box and tap “Send.”

Alternatively, you can also reply to a message in a WhatsApp channel by hovering over the message and clicking on “Menu” and then “Reply.”Note: The reply feature is available for both individual and group chats, including WhatsApp channels.

How to block a WhatsApp channel?

To block a WhatsApp channel, you can follow these steps:

Open the channel you want to block.
Tap on the “More options” button (three dots icon) in the top right corner of the screen.
Tap on “Block.”
Confirm that you want to block the channel by tapping “Block” again.

Note: Blocking a channel will prevent you from receiving any further updates from that channel. If you want to unblock the channel later, you can follow the same steps and tap “Unblock” instead of “Block.”