WhatsApp already announced the test phase for quick status reactions in the summer. The new feature is now available to all users. With the update, contacts can react to other people’s statuses with emojis.
A new extra is now available for WhatsApp users. Until now, anyone looking at a person’s WhatsApp status could write a message about it. Now a new feature of quick reactions has been added in the form of eight predefined emojis. The emoji function was previously possible as a reaction to WhatsApp messages.
React to WhatsApp status with emojis
If you want to use the new Status feature, you must first update WhatsApp to the latest version. To act on the status, the contact viewing the status must swipe up. Then he can either write a message or select and send the emojis. The fact that only a small selection of emojis are available so far could change soon. Similar to the reactions to WhatsApp messages, more emojis could be added.
Why are there more and more new features?
With the emoji quick reaction to the WhatsApp status, the parent company Meta is increasingly aligning the messenger’s functions with the company’s Facebook and Instagram platforms. Corresponding functions for Facebook and Instagram stories are available there. These work in a similar way to a WhatsApp status and are also deleted after 24 hours. Meta is thus standardizing its offers more and more and trying to expand successful concepts to other services.
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With the introduction of Facebook and Instagram Reels, Meta’s social networks adapted to a core function of TikTok. In contrast to the stories, the reels remain in the respective feed for friends. This means that communication with videos is becoming more and more important. Meta is reacting to the increasingly strong competition from the Chinese competitor. It is no coincidence that videos of up to 30 seconds can also be uploaded in WhatsApp status. Meta will continue to experiment to offer new features and retain users over the long term. Because if you look at the Messenger competition from Telegram and Signal, what does WhatsApp do differently or better? Individual message reactions with emojis have also been available from the competition for some time. With the expansion of the WhatsApp status, the messenger sets itself apart, at least for a short time.