WhatsApp’s Status feature just received a major update. In addition to sharing photos (and adding cool emojis to them), you can now share text-only updates that include a colorful background as well as links. The update is similar to the new colored backgrounds that Facebook introduced last year for text updates. By giving users the ability to link out of a Status to an external webpage (something that only select verified used can do on Instagram) brings WhatsApp Status one step closer to Snapchat Stories.
Just as a reminder, WhatsApp Status is more-or-less a clone of Snapchat Stories which are posts that disappear after 24 hours. Facebook, which is trying to compete with Snapchat for the attention of younger users, has added a similar feature not only to Whatsapp but also to Instagram, the Facebook mobile app, and Messenger.
The statement released by WhatsApp announcing the new update reads in part: “Today, WhatsApp announced a fun, new way for the 250 million monthly iOS and Android users of WhatsApp Status to express themselves. The new feature makes it easy to share creative text-based status updates. Now you never have to worry about getting the word out to all your family and friends. Whether you’re looking for vacation recommendations or notifying a group about the address for a party, the text-based status feature allows you to update your contacts in a fun and personal way. To customize text statuses, users can choose a specific font and background color, or include links.”
