Mark Zuckerberg has announced the global launch of WhatsApp Channels to over 150 countries, offering a private way for people to receive updates that matter to them, reported the 24NewsHD TV channel on Wednesday.

 We’re welcoming thousands of organizations, sports teams, artists, and thought leaders that people can follow, right within WhatsApp, he added while launching the channels.   

WhatsApp Channels are a one-way broadcast tool and deliver a private way to receive updates from people and organizations that matter to you, right within WhatsApp.

Mark Zuckerberg, announced the news on his WhatsApp Channel, “Excited to introduce you all to WhatsApp Channels, a new private way for you to get updates from people and organizations you follow. I’m starting this channel to share Meta news and updates. Looking forward to connecting with you all around the world.”

Channels can be found in a new tab called Updates – where you’ll find Status and channels you choose to follow.

WhatsApp Channels updates:

Enhanced Directory – you can now find channels to follow that are automatically filtered based on your country. You can also view channels that are new, most active, and popular based on number of followers.

Reactions – you can react using emojis to give feedback and see a count of total reactions. How you react will not be shown to followers.

Editing – soon, admins will be able to make changes to their Updates for up to 30 days, when we automatically delete them from our servers.

Forwarding – whenever you forward an Update to chats or groups it will include a link back to the channel so people can find out more.

WhatsApp Channels are rolling out globally over the next few weeks.