WhatsApp makes it easier than ever to find the right channels

Last year, WhatsApp introduced Channels, a convenient way to keep up with news outlets, celebrities, and other broadcasters. The feature lives in the messaging app itself and works like a one-way conversation where users can read and respond to announcements using only emojis. To make it easier to discover relevant channels, WhatsApp is launching a dedicated directory that users can browse.

WhatsApp announced today that it is launching a channel catalog that categorizes channels based on topics. You can browse channels related to the following categories: People, Organizations, Lifestyle, Sports, Entertainment, Businesses, and News & Information.

For example, if you’re interested in public figures, you can check out the People section, which lists celebrities you might want to follow. Similarly, the News & Information section highlights a few well-known channels you can add to stay up-to-date. While unofficial WhatsApp channel directories have been around for a while, integrating a native solution into the app should make your search easier.

To access the new catalog, first make sure you’re using the latest version of WhatsApp on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. If the feature is available to you, you can find it by going to the Updates tab and tapping the Explore button. There you should see a list of relevant WhatsApp channels divided into categories.

It’s worth noting that Meta tends to gradually roll out new additions. So even if you’ve installed the latest WhatsApp update, the new catalog may not appear right away.