While this in itself may not be news to some it may be news to know that only Facebook has produced apps that reached that milestone outside of Google apps on Google’s Playstore.
The Facebook app and its billion-dollar acquisition are the only apps to have such a massive download as far as Google Playstore goes.
It’s no surprise the app managed the feat if anything it was poised to do it. The question was more about when not if.
So why is WhatsApp so successful?
Let me stress, WhatsApp is by no means the most perfect IM out there. The delay in bringing dark theme feature, a trend that’s seized to be news and is fast being replaced by other emerging features is a case in point.
But what it lacks in speed of delivering upgrades and variations to its UX it makes up for in other ways.
Regular updates
While the Facebook-owned Instant Messanger may not deliver upgrades fast enough it does deliver updates really fast and very regularly. It’s probably the most reliable IM when it comes to delivering regular updates which improve performance and deliver bug fixes.
Streamlined
While this line is slowly being over-stepped yearly, so far, the app has remained streamlined in its functionality and purpose. For such a successful venture, there’s always the temptation of adding more features, cluttering it with this and that, but Facebook has kept that singular idea that makes us love WhatsApp – singleness of purpose.
Big announcement like showing of ads in group chats and status may yet blur that line into oblivion.
Light, Fast, hence efficient
WhatsApp has remained light in file size and memory management has been amazing, a feature that has kept it fast and efficient. Unlike the “sister” app – Facebook that has grown larger and larger in download size, the size on disk and memory usage over the years.
Engaging
While this argument is not unique to WhatsApp, its implementation in the app is one of a kind.
WhatsApp remains engaging with the addition of emojis, memes to quickly convey an epistle of thought and Status on the WhatsApp is one of the most successful, if not the most successful implementation of the idea.
Zero monetization
Yea I know, this is about to fly out the window but as of now, WhatsApp charges nothing, gains nothing in terms of in-app revenues by purchases or other means, a strategy that’s has engendered the IM to billions.
Considering that the company has served us for over a decade without asking anything in return in terms of direct commitment, I think we can excuse them if they decide to show ads in our statuses. Not that it’s clear on how that will work exactly but fingers are crossed.
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