The new whatsapp status allows users to share photos, videos and GIFs that disappear after 24 hours. It is similar to stories on other social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram.
WhatsApp introduced the new status feature in early 2017. This feature allows users to share text, photos, videos and GIFs that disappear after 24 hours. The new status updates replace the old text-only status messages. With the new status, WhatsApp has essentially added a ‘Stories’ feature similar to other social media apps like Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook.
How to Use WhatsApp Status
Using the new WhatsApp status feature is quite simple:
- Open WhatsApp and tap on the camera icon in the top left corner of the chat screen.
- This will open the camera viewfinder. You can then take a photo/video or select one from your camera roll to share as your status.
- Add text, emojis or draw on the photo/video if desired.
- When done, tap on the send button. The status will be shared with all your WhatsApp contacts.
You can also view the status updates shared by your contacts in WhatsApp. To view someone’s status, simply tap on their profile picture in any chat window. Their stories will appear in a slideshow format which you can swipe through.
Status Privacy Settings
By default, WhatsApp statuses are visible to all your contacts. However, you can customize who can view your status updates:
- My Contacts: This is the default setting where your status is visible to all your contacts.
- My Contacts Except: With this, you can exclude specific contacts from viewing your status.
- Only Share With: This allows you to select specific contacts who can view your status.
To change status privacy, go to WhatsApp Settings > Account > Privacy > Status. Select the option you prefer.
Status Features
Photos and Videos
You can share photos and videos up to 30 seconds in your WhatsApp status. These will disappear after 24 hours. You can customize photos and videos with text, stickers, drawings and emojis.
GIFs
WhatsApp has an integrated GIF search engine to easily find and share GIFs in your status updates. Just type in a keyword and select the perfect GIF to express yourself.
View Counts
You can see the number of views your status updates receive in the status tab. This lets you know how many people have seen your status.
Replies
Contacts can reply to your status updates through text, emoji reactions, photos or videos. You will receive these replies in the status reply section.
Status Mentions
You can mention your contacts in your status updates by typing @ followed by their name. This will send them a notification that they have been mentioned.
Text Format
In addition to media, you can also share text-only status updates. WhatsApp allows you to customize the text with different fonts, colors and backgrounds.
Disappearing Messages
Shared status updates automatically disappear after 24 hours. This makes the feature ideal for sharing temporary moments. There is an option to post a permanent status as well.
Live Location Sharing
You can share your real-time location in your status for 15 minutes, 1 hour or 8 hours. Your contacts will be able to see your location updates during this time.
How Status Differs from Chats
While WhatsApp chats allow you to directly message contacts, status provides a broadcasting mechanism to share updates with all contacts at once. Some key differences are:
- Status updates disappear after 24 hours automatically.
- All your contacts can view your status by default.
- Status allows sharing rich media like photos, videos instead of just text messages.
- You cannot have an individual two-way conversation on status.
Advantages of Status
Here are some of the key advantages of using WhatsApp status:
- Self-expression: Status provides a creative outlet to showcase your personality.
- Share everyday moments: You can share everyday experiences through photos and videos.
- Visibility: Status updates increase your visibility to all your contacts.
- Fun engagement: Statuses create opportunities for reactions and conversations with contacts.
WhatsApp Status vs. Instagram/Snapchat Stories
Since WhatsApp status is very similar to stories on Instagram and Snapchat, here’s a quick comparison:
- All three allow sharing disappearing photos, videos and GIFs.
- Snapchat and Instagram have filters and AR lenses which WhatsApp lacks.
- WhatsApp status is end-to-end encrypted while Instagram and Snapchat stories are not.
- Instagram and Snapchat stories are public by default while WhatsApp status is only visible to your contacts.
- Snapchat and Instagram have higher limits on video length compared to WhatsApp.
Use Cases for Status
Here are some popular use cases and ideas for using WhatsApp status:
- Share your daily routines and food pics.
- Give a glimpse of your travel adventures and vacations.
- Show off your outfit of the day #OOTD.
- Update friends on your workout progress and fitness journey.
- Share memes, jokes and funny videos.
- Promote your business, products or services.
- Preview new music and songs.
- Show off your skills and talents like art, dance, makeup, cooking etc.
- Share motivational quotes and statuses.
- Poll friends on questions, opinions and advice.
Tips for Using Status
Here are some tips to use WhatsApp status more effectively:
- Update your status regularly to build a habit for your audience.
- Be authentic and post content you are comfortable with.
- Interact with your contacts by reacting to their statuses.
- Use status captions to provide context for your updates.
- Highlight important status updates by pinning them.
- Check status privacy to control who views your updates.
- Preserve important moments by saving statuses before they disappear.
- Use hashtags in captions to increase discoverability.
Fun Facts about WhatsApp Status
- Over 1 billion people use WhatsApp status every day.
- You can swipe up on Android or swipe down on iOS to reply quickly to statuses.
- The maximum video length for statuses is 30 seconds.
- 500 million WhatsApp users share photos every day.
- You can allow contacts to download your status updates.
- The total number of daily status updates often exceeds Snapchat’s story count.
- WhatsApp is rolling out Facebook-like ads in the status section.
- Statuses accounted for 10% of WhatsApp’s data usage in early 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my old statuses not showing?
WhatsApp statuses disappear after 24 hours automatically. Only your current status and updates from the past 24 hours will be visible.
Can I post multiple status updates at once?
No, you can only have one active status update at a time. Your new status will replace the existing one.
Who can see my status updates?
By default, your status updates are visible to all your WhatsApp contacts. You can customize this and exclude specific contacts.
How do I reply to a status?
On Android, swipe up on a status to reply. On iOS, swipe down. You can reply with text, emojis, photos, videos, etc.
Can I save someone else’s status?
Yes, you can save other people’s statuses by taking a screenshot. There is also an option for contacts to allow status downloads.
Is my status end-to-end encrypted?
Yes, WhatsApp statuses are end-to-end encrypted just like WhatsApp chats and calls.
Conclusion
The WhatsApp status feature provides a creative way to share moments and updates with friends and family. It has quickly grown into one of the app’s most popular features with over a billion daily users. The ability to customize privacy settings gives users control over who views their status. Overall, status represents an evolution of WhatsApp from simple messaging to a richer social media experience.