Beyond the messaging functionalities themselves , we have recently seen how part of Meta’s ambitious plans have been reflected in WhatsApp. And it is that in addition to the already ongoing implementation of an integrated purchasing and payments system , it seems that the messaging application is now testing the possibility of including an option to search for establishments through our location.
This has been shared since WABetaInfo , who have detected this function in the latest test version of the application. Under the name of «Businesses Nearby» (Nearby Businesses), thanks to the screenshots shared by this website we can take a preliminary look at the interface and basic operation of this function. From now on, in the search field of the main menu of the application, we will not only be able to navigate between contents such as files, photos or links, but this special section will be added that will show us all kinds of stores , restaurants or service stations, and all kinds of nearby businesses based on our location.
But not only that. In fact, we will be able to access the files of these businesses and even contact some of them directly through the messaging application itself.
In fact, as the company tends to do, it seems that this functionality was previously tested with a directory of stores in São Paulo, Brazil. Something that could indicate that the function would be more advanced than we might believe, being able to arrive among the first WhatsApp updates next year.
In the same way, although for the moment we still do not have official details, everything indicates that this function will be available in both Android and iOS mobile applications , without knowing its possible future implementation in WhatsApp Web.