WhatsApp Status updated with emoji reactions, voice status, link previews and more: Details

WhatsApp made several updates to its Status feature on Tuesday. These include advanced privacy settings for voice status, emoji reactions for status, and link previews for status updates. The company says it will roll out these features to users in the coming weeks. A new privacy option will let users choose who can see their status updates each time they are posted. The app also introduces the ability to share voice status updates for up to 30 seconds. WhatsApp users can also now respond to status updates with emojis.

According to a WhatsApp blog post, there are as many as five new features and improvements to WhatsApp Status, including the ability to share voice status, new status profile rings, status link previews, and more advanced privacy options. New privacy options will enable users to update their privacy settings when posting a status and choose who can view their status with each update. The selected contact will be used as the default for the next state.

Another feature announced by WhatsApp is the ability to record and share voice messages for up to 30 seconds in WhatsApp status. The app also introduces the ability to respond to status updates by swiping up and tapping one of eight emoji.

Additionally, the instant messaging app also brings a new status profile ring that notifies users of status updates via their contacts. Whenever a contact updates their status, a circle will appear around their profile picture. It will be visible in the chat list, group participant list, and contact info sections.

Additionally, users can now also preview links shared in status updates, just as they would be sent as messages in chat. All of these features have already started rolling out to users and should be available to all users in the coming weeks, WhatsApp said.