WhatsApp tests new status feature in Ghana

Meta has announced that WhatsApp is testing a new feature in Ghana that places Status updates at the top of the Chats tab as part of efforts to make the feature more visible to users.

According to the company, the limited test is aimed at helping users discover Status updates from their contacts before the posts disappear after 24 hours.

In a statement, Meta explained that Status remains one of the platform’s most widely used features globally, with hundreds of millions of users engaging with it daily. However, the company said it frequently receives feedback from users who miss updates shared by friends, family, and contacts.

“We wanted to let you know about a feature test in Ghana that might be of interest to your readers,” the statement said.

“WhatsApp is trying out a new placement for Status updates, showing them at the top of the chats tab. Status is used by hundreds of millions every day, and we often hear that people miss statuses from their contacts.”

Meta said Ghana was selected for the test because of the country’s active WhatsApp community and the quality of user feedback expected during the trial phase.

The company clarified that the feature only displays organic Status updates from users’ contacts and does not introduce advertisements or sponsored content into the Status tray.

Meta also assured users that the update does not affect the privacy of messages, calls, or Status posts on the platform.

“Nothing changes about the privacy of personal messages, Status, and calls,” the statement noted.

Users participating in the test will also have the option to minimise the Status tray by swiping down or hide updates from specific contacts if they choose.

The new feature forms part of WhatsApp’s broader efforts to improve user engagement and make frequently used tools easier to access within the app.