Meta is working on a new feature for WhatsApp that will let users ask questions in their status updates. Users will be able to ask open-ended questions and post for their contacts to read and reply to. The feature is currently under development. It was first spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.25.21.8, but isn’t widely available for beta users yet.
When the feature arrives, you will be able to post a status message question that your contact will be able to respond to. They will answer by submitting their response directly within the status interface. According to WABetaInfo, there is currently a one question per status limit which might lead to multiple consecutive status posts if people have complex queries.
The new question feature is similar to the question sticker that’s already used by people on Instagram Stories. Just like that, the feature in WhatsApp will allow followers to share their thoughts easily and help them feel closer to the creators they follow.
When you leave an answer to a question, the person who asked the question will see it in a private section of the app, accessible only to them. Be aware, though, that the person will be able to see your answer and that it was you who posted the question, you aren’t anonymous. WhatsApp will also allow the question asker to share your answer back to their status for other people to see, but your name will not be displayed to keep you anonymous.
By turning Stories into a two-way conversation, Meta will be able to boost engagement with status updates on WhatsApp. It’s not the only thing WhatsApp is working on to boost engagement either, Neowin recently reported that channel admins will soon get a feature that lets them ask open-ended questions to their followers.
Are you looking forward to this new addition to WhatsApp, will you be using it?