New Delhi, March 20 (IANS). Messaging app WhatsApp is now planning to bring features like username and unique ID on its platform. With this, users will be able to easily send messages, voice and video calls to any other WhatsApp user without showing the phone number. This information was given in the reports.
According to reports, this new feature may arrive globally in June 2026. In this, common people and businesses will be able to keep a unique name or handle like other social media platforms.
“We’re excited to soon bring usernames to WhatsApp, allowing people to connect with new friends, groups, and businesses without sharing their phone numbers,” the company said in a statement.
This feature is expected to be optional, allowing users to continue using the phone number if they wish. The move is aimed at avoiding disruption and preventing users from switching to rival platforms.
Additionally, according to reports, WhatsApp is considering a dynamic pricing model for businesses, under which companies will be able to bid in real-time to send marketing messages.
According to reports, trials of this new system are likely to begin in the second half of 2026 and may be implemented in 2027.
India, with over 500 million users, remains one of WhatsApp’s key markets globally.
A report in February said that social media platforms influence 77 percent of retail purchasing decisions in India and meta platforms are playing an important role in 96 percent of social discovery.
This report from Meta and Retailers Association of India (RAI) states that short-form videos and creators are driving product discovery, as 97 percent of consumers watch short videos daily and 60 percent of time spent on Facebook and Instagram is spent watching videos.
The report also states that 72 percent of product discovery happens on messaging platform WhatsApp.
–IANS
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