What's app groups.

A new WhatsApp update means users will no longer be added to group chats without their consent.The latest feature for Android and iOS devices allow users to decide who, if anyone, can add them to new groups. It can be enabled through the messaging app's privacy settings, with three options now available for who is authorised to add to groups: 'Everyone',

'My Contacts', or 'My Contacts Except...'. My Contacts” means only users you have in your address book can add you to groups and “My Contacts Except” provides additional control for who among your contacts can add you to a group.The final option allows users to blacklist certain contacts, who will be forced to send any group chat invites through private chats. Users will then have three days to decide whether or not to accept the invite.


It is the latest in a string of recent updates to the world's most popular messaging app, which is used by around 300 million people each day.


Earlier this week the Facebook-owned app introduced an update that allows users to watch Netflix videos within the app.The feature, which is currently limited to the iPhone version of the app, means WhatsApp users no longer need to leave the app to preview content, similar to the way videos from Instagram and YouTube can already be viewed within WhatsApp.

Other recent updates include biometric security support that allows Android users to secure WhatsApp with a fingerprint to prevent people from snooping on their messages.
WhatsApp is also expected to introduce potentially the biggest update in its history over the coming months, with the introduction of support for Facebook's Libra cryptocurrency. No official date has been set for Libra and various regulatory hurdles need to be overcome before its launch, though once it is ready it will allow people to send funds across Facebook's stable of apps, including Instagram and Messenger.

Here are some top tips group admins should consider:
1) Regularly post community guidelines and notes about the 'reply' functionality. Whether a new group or an established one it never hurts to post community/group guidelines and names of group admins in case people have questions. Larger and more socially-focussed groups especially benefit from doing this (especially reminding people about 'reply' functionality) as it can help topics stay on track and members know when to dip in and out and avoid self-promotional posts.

2) Create a recognised post type for important information. The content contained will vary from group to group but if you create a post that is easily recognisable (image, emoji, ASCII) people are more likely to spot the post in more active groups (plus it's easy to search for).

3) Figure out what works (or what's missing) by using a tool like WhatsAnalyzer or ChatVisualizer (check terms and conditions first). A handy tool that completes data visualisation on your exported chats. Use the data to determine when to post, topics to post about and members you might want to contact to be more active or ask if anything different needs to be done.

4) Get quick feedback using Google Forms and Doodle. Ask a question or 20 using Google Forms or schedule a meet-up easily with a quick link from Doodle both make running large groups more manageable and fairer. Using bit.ly can also add an extra layer of measurement for WhatsApp group admins (and users).
5) Schedule discussions. It may sound strange but one of the best WhatsApp groups I am in schedules specific times to discuss topics (similar to Twitter chats or AMA on Reddit). One group even goes further and gets members to help create a Google Doc on the subject that is then edited by admins and then sent to everyone. This is unlikely to work for every group but it could be a good way to limit endless rivers of updates and create something usable faster.