If you use WhatsApp – and who doesn’t? – you’ve likely noticed a new update called “Communities” that adds an extra way to work with WhatsApp Groups. It’s a great tool if you run multiple groups that overlap, such as a neighbourhood group and a school group, but without letting users access another group without permission. 

How do these communities work? Let's dive in! 

What is a WhatsApp Community? 

A community is a space where you can add multiple groups under one umbrella. Different groups exist for different reasons; you don't want them to mix. For example, a neighbourhood group can include everyone living in an area, while the local school group is only for parents, teachers and pupils, and the crime watch group is for people who participate in community policing. Using the Communities feature, admins can do things such as send updates to multiple groups, and group members can apply to join other groups in the community. 

The big benefit is that Communities also protects the privacy of group members. Admins can interact with multiple groups without group members seeing the details of other groups. And there is a bonus: if you’re in a community, you can see the groups in that community and request to join them, e.g., a group for a book club or second-hand trades. Admins can also invite someone to join a community, and then the newcomers can request to join specific groups in that community. 

Sounds like a good idea for businesses, too 

Yes, companies that run WhatsApp groups can organise them under communities. This feature is a lifesaver for anyone who manages multiple groups. 

Are there any limitations? 

As mentioned earlier, non-admins cannot see what happens in other groups or who the members are. Only admins have that capability. A community admin can’t add a group if they aren’t an admin of that group. Each community is limited to 50 groups, but admins can create multiple communities to cover many groups and people. 

How do I create a community? 

Go to a group you want to add to a community. Tap the three-dot icon at the top right, then select “Group Info”. Scroll down a bit and select “Start A Community”. Follow the prompts (it's very similar to creating a group), and you will have a community! Then simply add more groups. But remember that you must be an admin of the groups, or else you won't get the community option. 

Is there a reason not to create a community? 

If you use WhatsApp Groups and have no reason to combine groups for announcements or so that people can discover new groups, then a community might not be necessary.  

Anything else I should know? 

When it introduced Communities, WhatsApp also added polls that work in any group. They’re a great way to get people's opinions without everyone posting a message, and anyone can post a poll (not just admins). Tap the paperclip in the chat field (or the + if you use an iPhone) and select “Poll”. Add the choices and publish. You’ll then be able to see who votes for which option. 

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