WhatsApp wants to take its functionality to a whole new level with Newsletters. The Meta-owned messaging app was already spotted developing a Newsletter feature, and now we can have a quick look into how the feature looks in the final version.
WABetaInfo reports that WhatsApp has started testing its Newsletters feature in the beta v2.23.5.8 on Android. The feature works like conventional newsletters, and users can opt for their favorite channel’s broadcasts. This could be a great feature for small businesses, companies, and government organizations that want to be more in touch with their customers and members.
WhatsApp Newsletters might roll out in the next update
As you can see in the screenshot below, the Newsletters feature appears in the Status tab. They will have a dedicated space for themselves. Users can search for the newsletters by username. They can also unsubscribe at any time.
Another change to the Status tab is the horizontal layout for status updates, which is similar to Instagram Stories. This new formation is because newsletters might go deep down on the page due to the high number of status updates. Newsletters are also displayed in chronological order, and algorithmic recommendations are not yet an option for WhatsApp.
WhatsApp doesn’t disclose the phone number of creators and subscribers of Newsletters. No one can see the Newsletters you’re subscribed to. Additionally, the company has yet no plan to show ads in the Newsletters.
WhatsApp Newsletters are still pretty vague, and some questions remain unanswered. For example, who can create Newsletters, and how will the notifications work? It remains to be seen whether WhatsApp allows regular users to create Newsletters or if the feature will be limited to Community owners.
The new Status tab with Newsletters is still under development, and we don’t know the exact release date. Since the feature is going through beta testing, it shouldn’t take too long to find its way to the stable version.
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