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Decoding the Jargon

WhatsApp Channel

Also called Channels, WhatsApp channel

Social mediaTerm

A one-way broadcast feature in WhatsApp's Updates tab. The admin posts text, photos, videos and polls to followers. Followers can react and vote but cannot reply, and their phone numbers are not shown to the admin or other followers.

Example

Meera starts a WhatsApp Channel for her store and posts new arrivals twice a week. Followers react with emojis, and anyone who wants to buy messages her business number separately.

How you'll hear it

“Post the festive drop on the Channel first; it doesn't need anyone to have saved our number.”

Don't confuse it with

  • Broadcast list: messages arrive as a private chat, and only to people who saved your number.
  • WhatsApp group: everyone can see each other and reply.

Related terms

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Sources

  1. Introducing WhatsApp Channels: a private way to follow what matters, WhatsApp Blog, 2023
  2. About channels on the WhatsApp Business app, WhatsApp Help Centre

Checked 1 October 2026. Examples use a fictional business; figures are illustrative.

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