WhatsApp just updated its status feature. All users will be able to access the improvements, which are currently being rolled out internationally, in the coming weeks.
You can now choose who sees each status update thanks to updated privacy settings, and new features allow you to record and distribute voice messages up to 30 seconds long as status updates. The privacy option you just changed will be kept and used as the default for all future status updates.

With WhatsApp’s Status reactions tool, you can respond to status updates. This was the most popular feature after the company added conversation reactions. Swipe up and tap on one of the eight emojis to reply. You can also send stickers, text messages, or voice messages.
When a contact updates their status, a new status profile ring appears around their profile photograph. This ring will be shown in the chat list, group participant lists, and contact information section.
Link previews are now available in statuses, just as they are in chats. When a link is set to status, a preview will appear immediately, improving the appearance and providing information about the connected resource before tapping.
WhatsApp is working on a number of new features for the messaging service, including call shortcuts, pinned messages, new photo editing capabilities, new camera functionalities, and more. Because all of these features are already available in WhatsApp’s beta version, their future release is assured.