A subtle yet useful upgrade is making its way to WhatsApp channels, offering creators deeper insight into how their content travels across the platform.
WhatsApp has rolled out a new beta update, version 2.26.4.11, for Android users via the Google Play Beta Program. The update introduces a feature that shows how many times a channel update has been forwarded. The feature is currently available to select beta testers and is expected to reach more users in the coming weeks.
The new capability, called “Statistics for forwarded channel updates,” is designed to help channel admins better understand content performance. With this update, the forward count will appear next to the forward button on a channel post. It will be displayed alongside the emojis used by followers to react to the update.
This added visibility allows channel admins to identify which updates are being shared the most. The data can help them gauge audience interest, refine their content strategy, and post similar updates to improve reach and engagement.
At present, access to this information is limited. Only channel admins can view how many times an update has been forwarded. Followers do not have visibility into these analytics.
WhatsApp has also outlined how the forward count is tracked while maintaining user privacy. When a channel update is forwarded in a chat, it is first encrypted end-to-end before being delivered to recipients. As a result, WhatsApp does not know who forwarded the update or where it was shared, as this information is not stored.
Instead, the platform records only the total number of forwards for each channel update on its servers. This number is then added to the overall forward count shown to the channel admin, without revealing any personal or chat-level details.
The feature highlights WhatsApp’s continued focus on providing useful analytics to creators while preserving its core privacy standards.
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