WhatsApp groups are a great way to stay connected with friends, family, coworkers, and other groups. As a group admin, you may need to approve new people who want to join the group chat. Here are some tips on how to manage and approve new participants in your WhatsApp groups.
Understanding WhatsApp Group Settings
WhatsApp groups have customizable privacy settings that control how people join the group. As the admin, you can configure these settings when creating a new group or for existing groups.
There are three main options:
Open Groups
In open groups, any WhatsApp user can join using the invite link or QR code without admin approval. This setting is best for public groups where anyone is welcome to participate.
Closed Groups
Closed groups require admin approval for someone to join. This is ideal for private groups where you want to control who can participate. It prevents unwanted people from joining.
Admin-Only Approval
With this option, only admins can add new participants. Group members cannot add anyone directly. This is the most restrictive setting, best suited for small, private groups.
As the admin, carefully choose the group privacy setting based on your needs when first creating the group. You can later change it by tapping the group info > edit group info.
Managing Join Requests
When you have a closed group, people who want to join must send a request for admin approval. As an admin, you will receive notifications when there are pending requests.
Here are some tips for managing join requests:
Check the Requestor’s Profile
Tap on the request notification to open the person’s WhatsApp profile. Review their bio, profile picture, and shared media to get a sense of their identity. This can help you determine if they seem appropriate for your group.
Ask Group Members for Opinions
For large groups or ambiguous requests, ask your existing members if they know the person wanting to join. Get their feedback on whether the person should be approved or not.
Set a Join Review Process
Have a standard process for reviewing requests, such as:
– Checking profiles
– Consulting with other admins
– Only approving requests from people you or other members know
Consistently following a thorough review method prevents spammers or abusive accounts from joining.
Respond Promptly
Don’t leave requests pending for too long. Review and respond within a day or two so people don’t think they are being ignored. Be sure to either approve or politely decline each request.
Approving or Declining Requests
Once you’ve reviewed a join request, you’re ready to make a decision. Here are the steps for approving or declining requests:
Approving Requests
1. Open the WhatsApp group where the request was sent.
2. Tap on the group name to open info.
3. Select Pending Requests.
4. Tap the green checkmark beside the person’s name.
5. Confirm by tapping Add.
Declining Requests
1. Open the WhatsApp group where the request was sent.
2. Tap on the group name to open info.
3. Select Pending Requests.
4. Tap the red X icon beside the person’s name.
5. Confirm by tapping Block.
Be sure to let the requester know if you decline their request so they understand why they were not approved.
Other WhatsApp Group Approval Tips
Here are some additional tips for managing approvals as a WhatsApp group admin:
Set Member Limits
WhatsApp allows groups of up to 256 participants. Consider setting a sensible limit based on your use case and enforce it when approving requests.
Temporarily Disable Join Links
If your open group is getting spammed with unwanted people joining, you can temporarily disable the join link. This pauses new additions while you tweak your approval process.
Assign Other Admins
For large groups, add other trusted members as admins to share the responsibility of approving requests. Just avoid assigning too many admins.
Kick Abusive Members
If any approved participant violates your rules or acts inappropriately, promptly remove them from the group.
Automate with Third-Party Apps
Some third-party apps like WhatsApp Manager offer advanced controls like auto-screening questions and automated approvals. However, use caution when giving any app access to your WhatsApp account.
Best Practices for WhatsApp Group Admins
Here are some overall best practices to follow as a WhatsApp group admin when adding new members:
– Clearly communicate your group rules and expectations
– Carefully choose privacy settings based on group purpose
– Be selective when approving requests from people you do not know
– Get other members’ input for questionable requests
– Respond promptly to join requests
– Enforce member limits based on your use case
– Assign multiple admins for large groups
– Remove abusive or inappropriate members
– Periodically review your approval process for improvements
Conclusion
As a WhatsApp group admin, you have control over who participates in your group chat. For closed groups, carefully reviewing and approving each request is crucial to maintaining a positive environment. Check profiles, consult members, respond promptly, and enforce your rules to keep things running smoothly. With good processes in place, you can easily manage adding new people to your WhatsApp groups.
