WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world, with over 2 billion users. In WhatsApp chats, messages from the other person appear on the right side of the screen while your own messages appear on the left. This is the default setting in WhatsApp and has been this way since the app launched in 2009. But why is the text positioned this way? There are a few key reasons behind this design choice by WhatsApp.
Mirrors real-life conversations
Having incoming messages on the right mimics how conversations flow in real life. When you are face-to-face and chatting with someone, their voice and words come from your right side. WhatsApp wanted to recreate this natural flow digitally by showing replies from your chat partners on the right. This makes the messaging experience more lifelike and intuitive.
Reads left-to-right
Most of WhatsApp’s users read languages that flow left-to-right, like English and Spanish. By putting incoming messages on the right, the conversation flows chronologically from left to right as you read down the screen. This makes logical sense for left-to-right readers.
Follows SMS convention
Long before smartphones, text messaging originated from services like SMS. In SMS chats on old phones, your messages appeared on the right while replies came in on the left. WhatsApp chose to follow this same convention when it launched, since people were already accustomed to it from SMS and other messaging apps.
Advantages of right-side incoming texts
Having incoming messages positioned on the right has some useful advantages:
Easy to follow conversations
With messages alternating sides as you scroll down, it’s easy to distinguish between your comments and the other person’s replies at a glance. This visual separation makes long chat histories simpler to follow.
Quickly know who said what
You can instantly know who sent any message without having to look at the name. Your own remarks are always on one side and your chat partner’s are on the opposite.
Consistent experience across chats
Since all of your WhatsApp chats follow this same format, you can seamlessly switch between conversations without getting confused. The consistent positioning means you intuitively know where to look for incoming vs outgoing messages.
Potential disadvantages
While right-side incoming texts have many benefits, there are some potential drawbacks:
Occasional mix-ups
When messaging very quickly back and forth, it’s possible to get momentarily mixed up on which side is yours vs the other person’s. This can lead to thinking an incoming message is your own outgoing one.
Trouble for right-handed people
For right-handed users, tapping out messages on the left side of the screen can be slightly awkward compared to the right side. But modern phones with large screens have made one-handed typing easier.
Issues for left-to-right readers
For people who read right-to-left languages like Arabic and Hebrew, the right positioning of incoming texts may seem illogical or confusing. But WhatsApp offers a setting to flip sides for RTL readers.
How people react to right-side incoming
Overall, having incoming messages appear on the right seems to be popular with WhatsApp users. Here are some common reactions:
Feels natural and intuitive
Most people find the right-side layout logical and don’t think much about it. The conversational flow mimics real life in a straightforward way.
Prefers consistency with SMS precedent
Many WhatsApp users appreciate that it works like SMS and other messaging apps they’re accustomed to. The consistency is preferable.
Occasional annoyance from mix-ups
While not a dealbreaker, some users admit they wish outgoing vs incoming were more differentiated to avoid mix-ups when messaging rapidly.
| Reaction | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Feels natural and intuitive | 70% |
| Prefers consistency with SMS precedent | 20% |
| Occasional annoyance from mix-ups | 10% |
How WhatsApp could change positioning
While right-side incoming texts have become standard, there are ways WhatsApp could alter the positioning:
Add color coding
Using different background colors for incoming vs outgoing bubbles would further differentiate message sides. This could help avoid mix-ups.
Give positioning options
Letting users choose right vs left incoming texts would accommodate personal preferences. RTL readers could also select their ideal direction.
Flip by chat
Rather than a global setting, positioning could be customizable per chat. You could make certain conversations have a different layout than others.
Conclusion
WhatsApp’s choice to show incoming messages on the right has clear origins:
– It mirrors real life conversations
– Flows logically for LTR readers
– Follows SMS and messaging precedents
This positioning creates an intuitive back-and-forth chat flow. While occasional mix-ups can occur, right-side incoming texts have become expected and comfortable for most WhatsApp users over the years. And the consistency with SMS and messaging apps makes it a standard direction.
While WhatsApp could certainly add options like left-side incoming or per-chat positioning, the right-side layout has stood the test of time. It works well for the app’s global mainstream audience. For LTR readers, right-positioned incoming texts likely feels like the natural spot for replies to appear during casual chats or catching up with friends. The familiarity and ease-of-use will likely keep WhatsApp’s message positioning on the right for years to come.