WhatsApp Launches Instagram Notes-Like ‘About’ Status: Short Text Updates Now More Visible

WhatsApp is rolling out a fresh update that introduces its own version of Instagram Notes — a short, text-based status feature designed to make quick updates easier and more visible. With this new WhatsApp About status update 2025, users can post brief messages at the top of chats, letting friends know what they’re up to or why they may be unavailable. Similar to Instagram Notes, these updates can spark conversations or simply serve as a personal expression space, enhancing the app’s communication experience through the WhatsApp Instagram Notes-like feature .

Interestingly, WhatsApp points out that this feature isn’t entirely new. In a recent blog post, the company shared that this “About” section was actually the messaging app’s very first feature — introduced long before WhatsApp evolved into the secure, private messaging platform it is today. With the relaunch, the Meta new WhatsApp features rollout brings back the original concept but with broader visibility and better integration across the app.

With this update, your WhatsApp disappearing text status will now appear prominently at the top of one-on-one chats and on user profiles. You can even tap someone’s About status in a chat to reply directly, making interactions smoother and more social. By default, these updates vanish after 24 hours, much like Instagram Notes. However, WhatsApp says users can change the duration — shortening it or extending it beyond the default day-long visibility. This flexibility gives users full control over the WhatsApp status privacy options they prefer.

Privacy customization is also built in. Users can choose whether their About status is visible only to their saved contacts or to a broader audience. While the feature is currently focused on text updates, it's not as feature-rich as Instagram Notes, which supports short, looping videos and integrates with music apps. However, WhatsApp says future enhancements could arrive if the WhatsApp Instagram Notes-like feature gains strong user adoption.

WhatsApp confirms that this new experience is rolling out to mobile users starting this week, marking another step in Meta’s push to evolve WhatsApp beyond messaging and into a more expressive communication tool — a trend reflected in the Meta new WhatsApp features rollout.