WhatsApp has taken a major step in improving communication within its Channels by launching a new feature called “private questions” or “prompt questions.” This tool, detected in iOS beta version 25.20.10.73, allows admins to post open-ended questions to their followers and receive confidential responses.
Until now, interactions in Channels were limited to emoji reactions or polls. With private questions, admins can publish a question using the attachment menu, and followers can respond freely, but only the admin can see the replies, which remain hidden from other Channel members. If the admin deletes the question, all responses are permanently erased as well.
The privacy of responses fosters a more comfortable environment for participation, free from the pressure of public exposure. It’s ideal for brands, media outlets, content creators, institutions, or any admin who wants to gather feedback, questions, or suggestions directly from their audience in a private way.
The feature is currently in development and available only in beta testing, but it’s expected to roll out widely in future updates for both iOS and Android.
How Do “Private Questions” Work in WhatsApp Channels?
- The admin selects “Questions” from the attachment menu in a Channel.
- They write an open-ended question and publish it.
- Followers respond privately.
- The admin reads and manages responses; if the question is deleted, the answers disappear as well.
Why Is This Feature Important?
This update breaks the traditional one-way nature of Channels, enabling more personalized and meaningful communication. Since the responses are private, followers are more likely to answer honestly without fear of public judgment.
Who can see the answers to a “private question”?
Only the Channel admin can see the responses; they are not visible to the public or to other followers.
With this new feature, WhatsApp strengthens its mission to make Channels protected spaces for genuine interaction, offering more effective ways to connect with audiences, whether for brands, communities, or media organizations.
