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Channels
WhatsApp Channels — one-way broadcast channels for followers, separate from 1:1 conversations.
A Channel is used to push updates to many followers at once, without creating a group or exposing phone numbers between participants. Only the channel owner posts; followers react and vote in polls but don't reply in an open conversation. Distinct from a username link (which opens a private chat) — a channel link is for subscribing, not for talking directly to the account.
Frequently asked questions
Does a Channel replace a WhatsApp group?
No — a group lets every member talk to each other; a Channel is one-way broadcast from the owner to followers only.
Do I need my username to create a Channel?
They're not the same thing: a Channel has its own subscription link, separate from the account's personal username.