WhatsApp is reintroducing its “About” feature to all users this week, bringing back a capability that existed since the app’s earliest days. The feature enables users to display brief activity notes on their profiles, letting contacts know what they’re up to at any given time. This update represents WhatsApp’s effort to enhance its appeal to users seeking more dynamic ways to stay connected with their network.
What the About Feature Does
The updated About feature will be more visible and user-friendly than before. When you set an activity note, it appears as a pop-up bubble on your profile image in one-on-one chats, allowing contacts to easily see and respond to your updates. Users can customize how long their About message remains visible—it expires after one day by default, but you can adjust the timer through Settings to keep it shorter or longer depending on your preference. Privacy controls ensure that only your existing WhatsApp contacts can view your About messages.
Positioning Against Instagram Notes
The reintroduction comes as WhatsApp aims to compete with Instagram’s popular Notes feature, which has gained traction among younger users. By offering a similar functionality tailored to WhatsApp’s messaging environment, the platform is working to increase its connective value and appeal to this demographic. The feature is particularly useful for busy people who want to maintain casual connections without engaging in formal conversations. WhatsApp emphasized that About makes it “simple for you to quickly share what’s up in your life,” positioning it as a modern take on a beloved legacy feature. The rollout begins this week for all users globally.