WhatsApp users see a small number below messages: Here’s what’s behind the change.

With Android beta 2.26.4.11, WhatsApp is introducing a new key figure for channels: Channel admins can see, as a test, how often an update has been forwarded. The number of forwards appears right next to the forward button, along with followers’ emoji reactions, reports “WABetaInfo.” Initially the feature is only available to selected beta testers. Messengers are visible, but normal subscribers to the channel will not see the forward number for the time being.

Why WhatsApp finds forwards more important than reactions

For admins, redirects can be much more meaningful than a like or emoji. A forward carries content into new chats and groups, expanding the reach beyond the actual followers. In the future, channels will be able to better identify which content is doing really well using the numbers. This allows admins to align their strategy with particularly shareable formats.

In the background, the basic principle of WhatsApp Channels remains: it is a one-way format in which admins can send messages to an unlimited number of followers—including text, images, videos, surveys, and links. Loud Whatsapp Personal data of followers, such as telephone number or profile picture, should remain hidden from admins and other subscribers.

This is how WhatsApp counts forwardings

Technically, every forward continues to be encrypted end-to-end, emphasizes “WABetaInfo.” The most popular messenger worldwide. According to its own information, it does not store which individual user forwards to whom, but only the number of selected recipients to whom a channel update was sent. Multiple forwards in the same chat also increase the total.

This sum is assigned to the respective channel post on the server side and displayed as a pure number in the admin interface. The feature is currently being rolled out to a limited number of beta users and will be gradually released to more admins if performance remains stable.