WhatsApp adds member tags and event reminders to group chats

WhatsApp announced on Wednesday that it is rolling out new features to its group chats, introducing member tags, text stickers, and event reminders. The updates are part of an ongoing effort to expand the functionality of group conversations on the messaging platform, providing users with more tools to manage their interactions and organize group activities. These additions aim to enhance user organization and interaction within group chats.

With member tags, users can choose a name that gives others in the group chat more context about who they are and what their role is. This feature allows for different labels across different chats; for example, a user can choose to be “Anna’s Dad” in one group and “Goalkeeper” in another. This provides a way for participants to clarify their specific roles or identities within diverse group settings. The text stickers feature allows users to turn any word into a sticker by typing their text into Sticker Search. Users can also add these newly created stickers directly to their sticker packs without sending them in a chat. By utilizing the Sticker Search tool, any typed word can be instantly converted into a custom sticker, allowing users to customize their sticker packs directly.

Additionally, the update introduces event reminders, which let users set custom reminders for invitees when they create and send an event in a group chat. When creating a new event within a group chat, users can establish these custom reminders to ensure invitees are notified. These new features are being introduced as WhatsApp continues to bolster group chats with other capabilities. The platform’s existing tools for group conversations include screen sharing, voice chats, sending HD media, and the ability to share large files of up to 2GB. These existing capabilities form the foundation of WhatsApp’s group utility, which the new updates seek to build upon, highlighting the platform’s focus on bolstering its group chat functionality.

Why it matters

WhatsApp is deepening its group chat utility to retain users by adding granular organization tools. This builds on the platform’s existing foundation of media and file-sharing capabilities.