Messenger service Whatsapp is introducing a new feature for organizing chat groups.
In the future, users will be able to set up so-called communities, to which existing and new chat groups will be subordinated, as the subsidiary of the American group Meta announced on Thursday.
According to WhatsApp, it is also aimed at using its app in schools, universities and companies.
"Communities such as neighborhoods, parents at a school and companies can now bring multiple groups together in one place to organize group conversations on Whatsapp," the company said.
Members "receive information that is sent to the entire community and can start smaller discussion groups on their own topics."
Community administrators can send messages to all members and control which groups are part of the community.
Whatsapp also announced other innovations, including the ability to create polls in chats.
Video calls can now be made with up to 32 participants, and up to 1024 users can join groups.
The new functions should be available worldwide in the coming months.