WhatsApp Rolls Out New Group Chat Features Including Member Tags

WhatsApp has launched an important update to its group chat functionality, introducing member tags and several productivity-focused features that transform how over 2 billion users communicate in group conversations.

The new member tags feature allows users to categorize and organize group participants, making it easier to manage large communities, work teams, and social groups within the messaging platform.

What Are WhatsApp Member Tags and How Do They Work

Member tags function as customizable labels that help organize group participants based on roles, departments, interests, or any criteria you choose. Group admins can create tags like "Marketing Team," "Project Leads," or "Event Volunteers" and assign them to relevant members.

This feature streamlines communication in groups with dozens or hundreds of participants. Instead of scrolling through long member lists, you can filter by tags to find specific people quickly.

The tagging system integrates seamlessly with WhatsApp's existing @mention feature. You can now mention entire tagged groups at once, ensuring important messages reach the right people without cluttering everyone's notifications.

WhatsApp Group Chat Features: Complete Overview for 2026

Beyond member tags, WhatsApp has rolled out several enhancements that improve group management and user experience.

Enhanced Admin Controls: Group administrators now have granular permissions to control who can send messages during specific times, create polls, or modify group settings. This prevents spam and maintains conversation quality in large communities.

Improved Search Functionality: The updated search tool lets you filter messages by sender, date range, media type, and now by member tags. Finding that important document or conversation thread takes seconds instead of minutes.

Message Reactions Expansion: WhatsApp expanded emoji reactions from six to over 20 options, giving members more ways to respond without adding message clutter.

Scheduled Messages: Admins can schedule announcements and important updates to post at optimal times when most members are active.

How to Use Member Tags in WhatsApp Groups

Open your group chat and tap the group name at the top. Select "Group Settings" and look for the new "Member Tags" option. Create your first tag by naming it and choosing a color for easy visual identification.

Assign tags by tapping on individual members or selecting multiple people at once. Each member can have multiple tags, providing flexible organization options.

To mention a tagged group, type @ followed by the tag name. Everyone with that tag receives a notification, streamlining team communications.

Regular members can view tags but cannot create or assign them, maintaining organizational control with group administrators.

WhatsApp Group Settings and Privacy Updates

Privacy enhancements accompany the new features, addressing user concerns about group management.

Users can now control who can add them to groups through three settings: everyone, contacts only, or contacts except specific people. This prevents unwanted group additions from unknown numbers.

The "View Once" feature now works in groups, allowing admins to share sensitive information that disappears after viewing. This suits workplace communications involving temporary access codes or confidential updates.

Group admins can enable approval mode, where join requests require admin permission before new members access the conversation. This protects private communities from unauthorized access.

WhatsApp Group Features Compared to Competitors

WhatsApp's member tags join similar features available in Telegram and Signal, but with unique advantages.

Unlike Telegram's username-based system, WhatsApp tags work with phone numbers, maintaining the platform's privacy-focused approach. You don't need to create a public username to participate in organized groups.

Signal offers basic group roles but lacks the flexible tagging system WhatsApp now provides. Discord's role system remains more advanced for gaming communities, but WhatsApp's simplicity suits general communication needs better.

The integration with WhatsApp's existing two billion user base means no migration required. Your existing groups gain these features through automatic updates.