WhatsApp has rolled out a new feature that enables users of the app to upload voice notes as status updates.

The new voice note feature allows users to record and share voice notes of not more than 30 seconds as status update.

This development is coming months after WhatsApp saw a significant traction in voice messages on its platform where it reported that an average of 7 billion voice messages are sent daily.

This is one of the new innovations that the cross-platform messaging service platforms aims to use to satisfy users who prefer voice notes to texting. This feature is accessed by tapping the microphone icon on the status screen.

In addition to voice status, the latest update on the app include a ‘private audience selector’ that lets users easily pick a privacy option per status to choose who can view their status updates, Tech Crunch reports. “A new audience selector button appears on the status screen — it brings up a menu to let users control the visibility of their status updates. The most recent audience selection will be saved and used as the default for the following status update.”