Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has introduced a new feature called “broadcast channels” that allows creators to share updates and messages with a broad audience of followers. The new feature is similar to Telegram channels and is only available on mobile devices at the moment. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, made the announcement through his own Meta Channel, which is one of the new channels available to users.

With broadcast channels, followers can opt-in to receive updates from the channel, but they cannot post on it. They can, however, react with emojis and participate in polls. The feature is currently being tested with a select group of creators (you can join the waitlist, but it’s already full), including snowboarder Chloe Kim and streamer Valkyrae, and will be rolled out to more users in the coming months.

Creators can start a channel from their Instagram inbox and even make it exclusive to paid subscribers. Channels will eventually be available on Facebook and Messenger as well.

The new channels provide a valuable tool for creators to connect with their audiences and share updates easily. The feature comes at a time when there is a lot of uncertainty around social media platforms like Twitter, and a text-based platform that is easily accessible to Instagram audiences could be a welcome relief for creators.

Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta Channel will be a hub for news and updates on all the products and tech that Meta is building. He plans to share news on this channel first, in an effort to encourage people to follow it. Channels will also support guest appearances, AMAs, and other collaborations in the future.

The new broadcast channels feature on Instagram is a promising development for creators who want to connect with their followers and share updates with ease. As the feature is rolled out to more users and expanded to other platforms, it has the potential to become a valuable tool for businesses and individuals alike.