Observed Signal · Oct 4, 2024 · Technical Release · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Neutral
WhatsApp Status Gains Likes and Mentions
WhatsApp is rolling out three new features for its Status product to make it more Instagram Stories-like. The updates—Likes via a green heart, private mentions that privately notify tagged contacts, and the ability for mentioned users to re-share the Status—were announced as part of an ongoing update cycle. The Like feature allows users to react to Status updates, with the list of who liked shown in a green-heart tally. Private mentions enable creators to ensure certain friends and family see a given update and be alerted privately. In addition, users who are mentioned can share the update within WhatsApp. The rollout is described as gradual, with these features being implemented step-by-step and with plans for further improvements to the Status tab and possibly other sections like the Aktuelles tab. The broader context is WhatsApp's growing emphasis on social-media-like behavior on its platform, leveraging its more than two billion users.
Major platform feature update from Meta affecting social features and WhatsApp Status
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- WhatsApp adds three new Status features: Likes, private mentions, and re-share by mentioned users.
- Likes are represented with a green heart and visible in a list.
- Private mentions notify the tagged people privately.
- Mentioned users can re-share the Status.
- Features are rolled out gradually with future updates planned for the Status tab.
Connected Companies & Entities
2 Entities mappedRelated Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
WhatsApp Status to appear in Chat Tab
WhatsApp is testing a feature to surface status updates directly in the Chat tab, arranged horizontally like Instagram Stories. In an Android beta reported by WABetaInfo, status updates will appear beside chats with a horizontal row, initially showing up to three story hints and later enabling a scrollable list of all new updates. The change aims to boost creators' reach by making status content more accessible within chats. The piece also notes WhatsApp’s broader push toward social features and references Meta's global rollout of Status Ads in the Updates tab, which could increase exposure for status content and ads. Industry observer Matt Navarra likens the move to Instagram’s Stories. WhatsApp currently serves over three billion monthly active users.
WhatsApp About: Disappearing Status Like Instagram Notes
WhatsApp is developing a new About section that lets users show a brief status in chats using an emoji and a few words. The About area is designed to parallel Instagram Notes and Slack-like context lines, turning the profile into a social-content area. The status would be visible in chats to selected contacts and would disappear after a user-defined time. Available durations reportedly include one hour, eight hours, one day, two days, one week, or a personalized timeframe. The feature was highlighted by app researcher Radu Oncescu, who can access WhatsApp About on iOS. If rolled out, About could give brands and creators a lightweight way to share updates within conversations, complementing existing status features. It remains unconfirmed when the feature will launch publicly.
Google launches unified agentic AI for Gemini
At a Google Cloud event on Thursday, Google announced it is bringing agentic AI to its Gemini assistant, launching a unified agent that can autonomously plan and execute tasks on behalf of users. Aimed initially at businesses, the agent can connect to internal systems and external tools, use custom skills, and even choose from third-party models like Anthropic's Claude. It will have its own Workspace account with an email address, and will write its own audit trail. Early testers include On, Shopify, and PayPal. Gemini has over 1 billion monthly active users, and nearly 90% of Fortune 100 companies use Gemini Enterprise.
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