WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.4.10: what's new?

WhatsApp has released a new Android update through the Google Play Beta Program, bringing the version up to 2.26.4.10.
What's new in this update? WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to label channel updates as paid partnerships, and it will be available in a future update!

WhatsApp is working on paid partnerships for channel updates

In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.3.9, we announced a feature that allows users to share status updates from their channels. This feature is currently under development and it will enable admins to create status updates directly from their channel updates. Since the process for creating channel status updates is the same as creating a standard status update, channel admins will be able to share images, videos, and voice messages that expire after 24 hours. As a result, channel admins will be able to use status updates to share timely content with their followers that disappears after one day.

This feature is currently still under development to ensure a bug-free experience before its official release in the future. Meanwhile, WhatsApp is also developing new tools to make it easier for creators to emphasize transparency when sharing channel updates. Following the release of the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.4.10 update, which is available on the Google Play Store, we discovered that WhatsApp is working on a feature that allows users to label channel updates as paid partnerships.

As you can see from the attached screenshot, WhatsApp is exploring the implementation of a feature that would allow channel admins to mark their updates as paid partnerships, scheduled for release in the future. Channel creators could collaborate with businesses and brands to publish sponsored content on their channels. For example, a tech channel could partner with a smartphone brand to promote a new device. In this case, the update would be labeled as a paid partnership so followers clearly understand it is sponsored content.

To mark a channel update as sponsored, creators will first need to share the update on their channel. After publishing the channel update, the admin must select it and choose the "Add paid partnership" option from the overflow menu. Once this option is selected, WhatsApp will ask the channel admin if they really want to add this label. Once added, the promotional label cannot be removed. To remove it, the channel admin must delete the channel update for everyone and publish it again without the paid partnership label.

This new label will allow those viewing the update to understand that it is promotional. This means that a brand has compensated the channel admin to share the update. The label will persist even if the channel update is forwarded to another channel or conversation. It's important to note that adding a label to a channel update is completely optional, and channel admins will be responsible for adding it. This means that WhatsApp will never add this label to a channel update. Adding this label to a status update will ensure transparency between channel creators and their audience. It will also allow followers to better understand the context behind a sponsored update.

The feature that allows users to label channel updates as paid partnerships is currently under development, and it is planned for release in a future update. WhatsApp is currently working on making the label visible to those who view the channel update. Once development is complete, channel creators will be able to apply labels to their promotional updates.

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