WhatsApp is testing a new feature to schedule channel updates
WhatsApp is working on a feature that will let channel admins schedule their updates on Android. Channel admins will be able to choose a specific date and time to publish the update automatically. The feature builds on the scheduled messages functionality that WhatsApp is also developing for chats and groups.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Feature: | Scheduled updates for channels |
| Status: | Under development |
| Availability info: | This feature is currently in development and not yet available for beta testing. |
| Previous news: | WhatsApp is rolling out animated emoji reactions on Android! |
WhatsApp is working on scheduled messages for chats and groups
In the post about the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.8.11 update, we announced scheduled messages for chats and groups. With this feature, users will be able to choose when the app sends their message. By pressing the send button, users will have to pick a specific date and time for delivery. Users can schedule a message anywhere from 10 minutes to two weeks ahead. They will be able to see and delete their scheduled messages from the chat info screen before they are delivered.
WhatsApp will extend scheduled content to channels
When we announced scheduled messages, WhatsApp was working on making the feature available only for chats and groups. This means that WhatsApp did not plan to develop the same feature for channels. This is about to change. We discovered the news with the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.26.33.5 update, which is available on the Google Play Store. Specifically, WhatsApp is testing a feature that will let channel admins schedule their updates for a specific date and time. This will make it easier for channel admins to plan their content without being online.
How channel admins will schedule their updates
The feature will work just like scheduled messages in chats and groups. To schedule a message, channel admins will have to tap and hold the send button. This action will present a date and time picker where the admin can choose exactly when WhatsApp should share the update for everyone. WhatsApp will add the update in a queue until the right moment and publish it without any action from the admin. The admin does not need to be online or have the app open at delivery time. Admins will find the updates they scheduled in the channel info screen.
The same time window will apply to channel updates
Channel admins will work within the same time window as scheduled messages. The earliest a channel update can be scheduled is 10 minutes from the current time. Instead, the latest is two weeks in advance. The 10-minute minimum will give admins enough time to make any last-minute changes before WhatsApp shares the update. The two-week maximum works for most situations, whether the update is planned for the next day or much further ahead.
Why the feature to schedule updates is useful for channel admins
A channel that posts at consistent times may perform better than others that share updates at random hours. Some web publishers that rely on WhatsApp Channels to share their updates can confirm this based on their experience. Without a scheduling tool, admins have to be online at the exact moment they want to post. When admins are not available, they may miss the right moment to post, especially if their audience is in a different time zone. In the future, WhatsApp will address this limitation by introducing scheduled updates. Admins will be able to draft their updates when they have time and let WhatsApp handle the delivery.
How this feature differs from scheduling in chats and groups
In a chat or group, a scheduled message is for a small, specific audience. In a channel, thousands or even millions of followers at once can see a scheduled update. This makes timing far more important for channel admins than for regular users. An update published when most followers are not available may get less attention than one shared at the right moment. With this functionality, channel admins will be finally able to control that timing without being online.
WhatsApp is developing scheduled channel updates for a future Android update
The feature that lets channel admins schedule their updates is currently under development on Android. WhatsApp has not enabled this feature for beta testers yet. We expect WhatsApp to roll it out to some beta testers in a future update. At the moment, WhatsApp has not shared an official timeline for its public release.
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