WhatsApp has introduced a new way to keep in touch with friends and family through “Status Likes” and “Private Mentions”. With these features, users can now like a contact’s status or mention people in a status they create. These updates were beta-tested for weeks before being released globally, and are now live in WhatsApp’s mobile and web applications.
To like a status, simply tap the heart icon next to the reply box. When you like a status, a green heart icon will appear next to your name in the status viewer list, but only the creator will be able to see it. Like Instagram Stories, WhatsApp won’t display a counter for status likes, so users will have to count them manually.
Private Mentions allow users to mention up to five people in a status. When someone is mentioned in a status, WhatsApp will privately notify them in the “Chats” tab. Users can also edit and share a status they’re mentioned in with their audience, but the creator’s identity will remain anonymous for privacy purposes.
Interestingly, anyone can mention you in a status, not just contacts. For instance, people you share a Group or Community with can mention you, but blocking or reporting someone will prevent them from doing so. Alternatively, archiving or muting the chat will stop you from receiving notifications for status mentions.
While these features are available to all users, they are being rolled out gradually. If you haven’t received the update yet, simply update WhatsApp on your device and check again to see if they’re available.
