Tech Desk 
Oct 04, 2024
WhatsApp has introduced the latest feature of Status likes and Private mentions to Android and iOS users, offering several ways to interact with the highly popular Status updates.
According to the WABetaInfo report, a few users spotted Status likes and Private mentions in beta testing in the first quarter of the year. However, the release date was previously under wraps and now it has been finally rolled after a long wait.
The Status likes feature is reminiscent of like an Instagram story, and these likes can only be viewed by the person who posted the story. Status likes offers a way to acknowledge a contact’s status update only by clicking the heart emoji, but it never makes a public notification.
Read more: WhatsApp to allow file sharing with nearby users
Private mentions enable users to easily tag their contacts in a status update, and the tagged users would get a notification through a private message, informing them that they have been tagged. It’s a great feature for highlighting particular users within a larger update and for sharing content with specific users, instead of the whole contact list.
By adding a tool for private connections, the most recent update provides more control over the user experience. Similar to Facebook pokes of old, Status likes are a great method to show someone you prefer them. Meanwhile, you can interact with a select group of people through private mentions.
Both of the recently introduced features are reminiscent of tools already available on other Meta platforms including Messenger and Instagram.
