WhatsApp has been part of our routine for years. It is one of the first applications that we install when changing mobile phones and the one that we use the most to keep in touch with family, friends or co-workers. What started as a simple channel for personal messages has become a much broader space, where groups, communities and companies coexist. Today, between notifications and pending conversations, it is common for us to receive messages that we did not even expect or from people we do not know.
As WhatsApp has grown, so has the feeling of overflow. The conversations multiply and, among them, more and more messages that are not of our interest sneak in. From announcements to service reminders. For many users, distinguishing what is important has become a constant task. That scenario has led the company to explore new ways to limit abusive shipments and regain some of the lost control.
New message limit. As confirmed by the company, it is testing a function that restricts how many messages can be sent to contacts who do not answer. In practice, this means that both users and companies will have a maximum monthly number of attempts before they are unable to continue writing. The counter is only reset when the recipient responds. With this, WhatsApp seeks to stop spam without affecting normal personal conversations.
Notice within the app. TechCrunch notes that when a user or business is close to reaching the monthly limit, WhatsApp will display a notification with the exact number of messages sent to contacts who have not responded. The notice appears in a pop-up box that acts as a reminder to avoid temporary blocks. The company has not yet specified what the exact limit is, as it is testing different values before implementing it definitively.
Test in several countries. WhatsApp has confirmed this test will be active in several countries in the coming weeks. The company insists that most users will not notice changes, since the cap is designed for those who send mass messages or do not receive a response. In principle, the measure seeks to affect only behaviors considered abusive, not the daily use of the application.
The new limit is not an isolated movement. Over the last year, WhatsApp has launched various tests to stop abuses on its platform. In July 2024, it began experimenting with limits on the number of marketing messages a company can send per month. It has also extended caps on broadcast lists and bulk messages.
Doubts to resolve. As we say, WhatsApp has not revealed the exact number of messages allowed or how long the test phase will last. Nor has it detailed whether the limit will be the same for individual users and business accounts. Meta is testing different values and seeing how it affects user behavior before deciding on its final implementation.
In the end, many of us know what it’s like to open the application and find several pending messages. Some matter, others we don’t even know where they come from. The test will tell if you really manage to put a stop to excess without complicating daily conversation.
Imagenes | Freepik | Daniel Korpai
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