WhatsApp to add local business directories to help users to find local stores and services

WhatsApp has grown to become more of a simple messaging app in recent years. It has 2.5 billion global active users, is a basic multi-user messaging app, and even a partial payment app in some areas.
In some places, it is the best and easiest way to contact a business. Now, the company is exploring the addition of WhatsApp local business directories to help customers find local stores, cafes, and more.
WhatsApp Local Business Directories
Recently, a survey currently resides in São Paulo, Brazil, where millions of small businesses live. In an interview with Reuters, Matt Idema, Facebook’s vice-president of business messaging, said India and Indonesia may be good candidates for expanding the feature.
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Idema told Reuters that in the past business people were highlighting their WhatsApp numbers in packages or websites or using Facebook ads to bring users to WhatsApp conversations.
WhatsApp also said it would not keep track of people’s locations or their search results. Given that the company was recently discriminated against by the Irish Data Protection Commission and fined €225 million, it is likely that it wishes to play as securely as possible with user details at the moment.
We’re kicking this off in São Paulo which is home to millions of small businesses. For those who aren't in São Paulo to try it out, here's what it looks like: pic.twitter.com/cMu9DwlUYw
— Will Cathcart (@wcathcart) September 15, 2021
In that interview, Idema said WhatsApp still intends to add ads to the app. “There is definitely a trend in advertising, which is the main way of business on Facebook, that in the long run I think that in some way or another it will be part of the business that runs WhatsApp,” he said.
WhatsApp says about a million advertisers currently use Facebook and Instagram ads ‘click on WhatsApp’ to send users to the messaging app. WhatsApp has shopping tools such as product catalogs and shopping carts that consumers use to buy businesses on WhatsApp.
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WhatsApp Android App Updates – 2.23.18.17 Beta

WhatsApp is one of the most used messaging services, owned by Facebook. It allows you to send/receive text, photos, videos, documents, location, and voice/video calls. Also, you can share some of your most personal moments because of its end-to-end encryption security with the help of WhatsApp.
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To maintain the popularity of WhatsApp, the company continuously works to add new features and improve the presently available features. Also, as a beta tester, you’ll receive an update that includes a testing version of WhatsApp Messenger on the Beta channel.
WhatsApp for Android 2.23.18.79 – STABLE
WhatsApp for Android 2.23.19.17 – BETA
- Get the latest WhatsApp Beta via the Link
Take a look at the features of WhatsApp
TEXTS – Simple, Reliable Messaging
WhatsApp uses your phone’s Internet connection to send messages so you can avoid SMS fees.
GROUP CHAT – Groups to keep in touch
With group chats, you can share messages, photos, and videos with up to 256 people at once. You can also name your group, mute or customize notifications, and more.
WHATSAPP VOICE AND VIDEO CALLS – Speak Freely
With voice calls, you can talk to your friends and family for free, even if they’re in another country. And with free video calls, you can have face-to-face conversations when voice or text just isn’t enough.
WHATSAPP ON WEB AND DESKTOP – Keep the Conversation Going
With WhatsApp on the web and desktop, you can seamlessly sync all of your chats to your computer so that you can chat on whatever device is most convenient for you.
PHOTOS AND VIDEOS – Share Moments that Matter
Send photos and videos on WhatsApp instantly. You can even capture the moments that matter to you most with a built-in camera. With WhatsApp, photos and videos send quickly even if you’re on a slow connection.
END-TO-END ENCRYPTION – Security by Default
When end-to-end encrypted, your messages and calls are secured so only you and the person you’re communicating with can read or listen to them, and nobody in between, not even WhatsApp.
DOCUMENTS – Document Sharing Made Easy
Send PDFs, documents, spreadsheets, slideshows, and more, without the hassle of email or file-sharing apps. You can send documents up to 100 MB, so it’s easy to get what you need over to who you want.
VOICE MESSAGES – Say What’s On Your Mind
Sometimes, your voice says it all. With just one tap you can record a Voice Message, perfect for a quick hello or a longer story.
WhatsApp might allow texting a WhatsApp user without WhatsApp account

WhatsApp might soon allow you to contact a user on WhatsApp even without having a WhatsApp account. To comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, WhatsApp reportedly began making changes in the application, which will bring the third-party chats feature.
According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.19.8 update embeds a new section dedicated to the new regulations. Since the third-party chats section is under development, it appears empty and it’s not accessible to users.
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This third-party chats feature is likely to let other people contact users on WhatsApp even if they don’t have a WhatsApp account. In case someone from Signal wants to get in touch with you but doesn’t have a WhatsApp account, they will still be able to text you.
Third-party chat support is under development and it will be available in a future update of the app.
WhatsApp’s Exciting Makeover: New Look and Enhanced Conversation Filters Coming Soon!

WhatsApp is about to drop a completely new user interface of the app to Android users. With WhatsApp Beta 2.23.18.18, WhatsApp released a new look and enhanced conversation filters. Besides, there are several improvements to the usability and appearance of the application.
Continuing the development, WhatsApp is surely working on a revamped user interface for Android users. The latest update brings White status bar and indicates that WhatsApp has plans to change the font for its app name, which will be in green color.
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WhatsApp will also bring the ability to users so they can filter their conversations by sorting their chats to get a list of unread messages, personal conversations, or business chats. The UI is also getting refined, with buttons to toggle these filters now feature much more rounded edges compared to previous ones.
WABetaInfo confirms that the new interface with the White header and Green app name is under development. It will be available in a future update of the app. If you are in the Beta testing program, you may get the redesigned app after updating the app to version 2.23.18.18.