WhatsApp is working on an update that will see communities added to the platform in the coming weeks. You may already know about communities after it was spotted on a desktop beta build a few months previously. Since then, there’s been no mention of the feature from WhatsApp, until today.
Six Patches and an Update
Think of communities like a group, but on a much larger scale. A community encompasses 10 groups, each with a specific focus within the broader community. Every user will be able to create their own community or be invited to join one from a link sent by a community admin directly.
The communities beta is rolling out later today, though not all beta testers will get access right away. Only a select few testers are given the ability to create communities, with more users given access over the coming weeks.
Communities will be found where the camera tab currently is. If you’re a beta tester looking to create a community, check whether or not the new tab is there. If it isn’t, then you’re one of the unlucky majority.
Creating a community allows you to add 10 groups, known as ‘sub-groups’, each supporting 512 participants. A new user in a community can choose which groups to join, based on what interests them most. Users can also leave any sub-groups without being forced to leave a community. In every community, an announcement group is automatically created to allow admins to address all participants.
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Eventually, WhatsApp will make other community users’ phone numbers hidden. This isn’t included in the beta’s first release, though we expect this to be standard by the time the feature rolls out to everyone. Which should be pretty soon. Usually after a beta release, WhatsApp likes to release the full update to everyone in a few weeks. Keep your eyes peeled.
Source: WABetaInfo