Key Takeaways
What appeared
A blue-badge post from WhatsApp highlighted a way to find shared group chats by searching a contact’s name and scrolling to the “groups in common” section.
What it really means
This capability has been available for years; the message functioned as a refresher rather than a brand-new launch.
Why it resurfaced
Official materials and roundups periodically re-surface existing tools—often after broader rollouts or adjacent feature improvements.
Story & Details
The message
A short update from WhatsApp explained a simple use case: when the name of a study group slips the mind, type a participant’s name into search and scroll down to see which group chats are shared. The post ended with a clear note that only the official WhatsApp account can send messages in that channel.
The reaction
Readers pushed back with a fair point: “That isn’t new.” They were right. The ability to view shared groups tied to a contact has been part of WhatsApp’s toolkit for some time.
The timeline
In March 2023, WhatsApp’s official blog described the exact behavior—search a contact to “easily see your groups in common.” Months earlier, in November 2022, WhatsApp launched Communities, a broader structure for organizing related groups. That era brought many group-centric enhancements and likely primed later reminders. In April 2025, WhatsApp published a feature roundup that again surfaced group-related improvements, reinforcing that the emphasis was continuity and visibility, not novelty.
The takeaway for users
Nothing dramatic changed: the search-and-scroll path to “groups in common” remains the fastest way to recover a group you share with someone. The fresh nudge simply puts a known trick back on the radar.
Conclusions
A soft relaunch in plain sight
Platforms often revive existing features with new framing, especially when ecosystems evolve around them. Here, the message boosted awareness rather than signaling a first release. For everyday use, the advice still helps: search a contact, scan shared groups, jump back into the right chat. Simple. Effective.
Sources
- WhatsApp Blog — “Getting more out of groups on WhatsApp” (describes “easily see groups in common”): https://blog.whatsapp.com/getting-more-out-of-groups-on-whatsapp
- WhatsApp Blog — “New Feature Roundup: Updates to group chats, events, calls, channels and more” (April 9, 2025): https://blog.whatsapp.com/new-feature-roundup-updates-to-group-chats-events-calls-channels-and-more
- Reuters — “WhatsApp launches Communities group organizer feature” (November 3, 2022): https://www.reuters.com/technology/metas-zuckerberg-announces-launch-communities-whatsapp-2022-11-03/
- YouTube (WhatsApp Official) — “What Is Communities?” (context for group organization): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwAdOPP2KUk
Appendix
Communities
A WhatsApp framework that links multiple related group chats under one umbrella, making administration and discovery easier.
Groups in common
A view within WhatsApp search that shows which group chats are shared with a specific contact, useful when the group name is forgotten.
Official account badge
A blue checkmark that identifies an account as an authenticated, platform-verified source of announcements and updates.
Roundup post
An official blog entry that bundles recent features and improvements, often resurfacing tools that some users may have missed.
Search bar
The field at the top of WhatsApp used to find messages, contacts, and groups; entering a contact’s name also reveals shared groups.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 