WhatsApp is testing the waters of simpler reactions for statuses with a potential "Like" button. Currently, users can respond to statuses with text replies or a chosen set of emojis. This new feature, spotted in the latest beta version, would mirror Instagram's approach by offering a dedicated heart button to quickly like statuses.
While the feature isn't fully functional yet, it appears as a heart-shaped button next to the text reply box when viewing a contact's status. This placement aims to make leaving a quick like more convenient.
This move likely signifies WhatsApp's intent to encourage a more interactive status update experience, similar to how Instagram Stories function. The current emoji replies offer some reaction options, but the dedicated "Like" button could streamline the process.
It's important to note that this feature is still under development, and there's no official confirmation from WhatsApp regarding its release date or wider rollout. However, its presence in the beta suggests it might be a future update for all users.