Who can see stories on WhatsApp - briefly?
Only the people you've added to your contact list can view your stories on WhatsApp. This ensures that your shared content remains private and visible only to your intended audience.
Who can see stories on WhatsApp - in detail?
The visibility of stories on WhatsApp is governed by several factors, primarily revolving around privacy settings and user actions. By default, WhatsApp Stories are visible to all contacts in your address book who also use the app. However, users have the ability to customize these settings to control who can see their content.
Firstly, it's important to understand that WhatsApp does not offer a specific "Stories" feature like other platforms such as Instagram or Facebook. Instead, it uses a Status feature which allows users to share text, photos, and videos that disappear after 24 hours. This feature is designed to be ephemeral and casual, similar to stories on other social media platforms.
By default, your WhatsApp Status (or "story") will be visible to everyone in your contacts list who has your phone number saved. This means that anyone with whom you have exchanged messages or calls can view your Status updates unless you adjust the privacy settings.
To manage who can see your stories on WhatsApp, follow these steps:
- Open WhatsApp and go to the "Status" tab.
- Tap on the three vertical dots (options menu) in the top right corner.
- Select "Status Privacy."
- Here you have three options:
- "My contacts": This is the default setting, allowing all your contacts to see your Status updates.
- "My contacts except...": You can select specific contacts who will not be able to view your Status updates.
- "Only share with...": Choose this option if you want to limit visibility to only certain contacts.
Additionally, there are settings that allow users to control whether their online status is visible to others. This feature does not directly affect the visibility of stories but can provide an additional layer of privacy:
- Open WhatsApp and go to "Settings."
- Select "Account."
- Go to "Privacy" and choose "Last Seen & Online."
- Here you can select who can see your online status: everyone, my contacts, or nobody.
In summary, the default setting for WhatsApp Stories (or Status) allows all of your contacts to view them. However, users have the flexibility to adjust privacy settings to restrict visibility to specific groups or individuals, enhancing control over their shared content.