Highlights

• WhatsApp beta hints at notifications for unseen status updates.
• Option to designate contacts as ‘favourites’ for status alerts being tested.
• Notifications might also be sent based on messaging frequency.
• Enhancements aim to boost engagement with status update feature.

While a recent beta update for WhatsApp may have seemed ordinary, a closer inspection hints at something more intriguing brewing under the surface.

The popular messaging app appears to be working on new ways to notify users about their contacts’ status updates.

Expanding on Mentions

A previous WhatsApp version introduced the ability to mention others in status updates, triggering a notification for those tagged individuals.

However, the latest beta suggests WhatsApp is exploring broader notification options beyond just mentions.

According to WABetaInfo, a platform that closely tracks WhatsApp developments, a screenshot indicates the app is testing notifications for unseen status updates from contacts.

This could potentially work in two ways:

Favourite Contacts

Users may soon get the option to designate certain contacts as ‘favourites’.

With this setting enabled, they would receive a notification whenever one of their favourite contacts posts a new status update, even without being directly mentioned.

Most Frequently Contacted

Alternatively, WhatsApp could implement a system where notifications are sent based on the user’s interaction patterns within the app.

For example, users might get alerted about status updates from the people they message most frequently.

Boosting Engagement

While the exact implementation remains unclear, these developments suggest WhatsApp is keen on enhancing user engagement with its status update feature.

Whether through manually selected favourites or an automated, context-driven system, such notification enhancements could provide WhatsApp users with a more streamlined way to keep up with the latest updates from their closest friends and family members.

FAQs

How might the new WhatsApp status notifications work?

WhatsApp is experimenting with ways to notify users about unseen status updates from their contacts.

This could include receiving alerts whenever someone designated as a ‘favourite’ posts a new status, or potentially based on how frequently users interact with certain contacts, ensuring that users stay connected with those they communicate with the most.

What prompted WhatsApp to introduce these new notification features?

The introduction of new notification features for status updates appears to be part of WhatsApp’s broader strategy to enhance user engagement and interactivity within the app.

By making it easier for users to stay informed about their contacts’ status updates, WhatsApp aims to encourage more frequent and meaningful interactions among its user base.

Can users control who they receive status update notifications from?

While specific details about user control over the new notification features are still under wraps, it’s likely that WhatsApp will provide options to manage notifications.

This could involve allowing users to designate which contacts are marked as ‘favourites’ and possibly adjusting settings related to notifications based on messaging frequency.

Will all WhatsApp users receive notifications for all status updates?

The new notification system for status updates in WhatsApp is expected to offer a level of customization, meaning not all users will receive notifications for all status updates.

The system may prioritize alerts for updates from ‘favourite’ contacts or those users interact with most frequently, helping to tailor the experience to each user’s preferences and relationships.

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