WhatsApp is reportedly working on rich link previews for text status updates. The information comes from reliable publication WABetaInfo who shared a screenshot of the upcoming feature.
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The rich link preview for status updates is currently in the development and testing phase on both Android and iOS versions. The Meta-owned messaging platform has been rolling out plenty of new updates in recent weeks including Communities, new voice message features, emoji reactions, and more.
WhatsApp working on rich link previews for status updates
Rich links basically offer more information about the link to viewers. They are a pop-up box that is visible when a user shares a link in the message or a status update. It includes details like the website’s name, image, and information. This is quite helpful to the viewer in deciding whether they want to open the link or not.
Thus, with the upcoming feature, WhatsApp users will be able to check the preview of the shared link on the status update instead of opening it and reading the message entirely. It will work similarly to the link preview feature in individual and group chats. The difference is seen in the screenshot shared by WABetaInfo where the image on the left shows the current text status update and the new one in the works on the right image.
The rich link preview for status updates is currently being tested on iOS platform and it will also be available on Android and desktop versions in the future. Apart from this, the instant messaging platform is also working on quick emoji reactions to status updates that will work similarly to Instagram Stories.