Is this the end of the WhatsApp group chat?

WhatsApp have just introduced a new tagging feature for group chats.

Anyone who has ever been added to a WhatsApp group chat (so all of us) will appreciate just how bloody annoying they can be.

Chances are you’ll mute the conversation, and everyone in it, as soon as your phone buzzes to alert you that you have been added to yet another ‘girly night out’ organisational group message. Seriously guys, can’t we just create a doodle?

In news that is likely to annoy a large majority of WhatsApp users, the messaging service has now introduced a new tagging function on both iOS and Android phones.

Yes, that’s right. Gone are the days of being blissfully unaware as to what is exactly going on in the 50 messages plus group discussion. The new tagging functionality means you will now receive message notifications, even if you have hit mute.

To tag someone you simply write ‘@‘ followed by their name in the message field and hit send. So essentially the same way you would tag a friend in a Facebook post or in a Tweet.

On the plus side, WhatsApp’s latest update does mean you’ll be saved the hassle of scrolling through endless conversation threads to see if there’s anything you need to reply to. Plus you're far more likely to be made aware of any critical updates to social plans.

However, we can’t help but feel that most people are going to be using this new added a function with the same purpose of the MSN messenger nudge button - to annoy the hell out of you.

The good news is you can still read your WhatsApp conversations without your friends knowing, so at least there's that.

Happy tagging, and may the odds be ever in your favour.