WhatsApp Will Allow Users To Link Social Media Accounts To Their Profiles

JAKARTA - Meta is developing a new feature on WhatsApp that allows users to link their social media accounts to profiles in the messaging app. Although similar features are already available for business accounts, this option is being developed for regular accounts.

This feature was discovered by WABetaInfo in the beta version of WhatsApp for iPhones. Although not yet available to public users, screenshots circulating show how this new option works. Basically, WhatsApp users can add links to their social media profiles, so that their contacts can access the profile with just one tap.

"WhatsApp seems committed to allowing users to further personalize their profile pages, focusing on increasing user interactions and making profiles more dynamic and informative. [...] A new section will be available directly in future profile settings, where users can choose whether to add links to their social media profiles," the WABetaInfo report said.

Internally, Instagram is the only option currently available to display on WhatsApp profiles. However, it is likely that WhatsApp will add more options before this feature is released to the public at least to connect other Meta-owned platforms, such as Threads and Facebook.

Currently, adding an Instagram profile to a business WhatsApp account requires users to log in for verification. However, this new beta feature does not require verification. Even so, Meta may implement a similar verification process before the official launch to prevent abuse, such as impersonating identity.

This feature is completely optional, so users can choose not to share their social media profiles with their contacts. WhatsApp is available for free on the App Store, while the beta version can only be accessed by selected users via TestFlight.