- The “Forwarded many times” label appears when a message has been forwarded five or more times and triggers stricter forwarding limits.
- WhatsApp uses these labels and restrictions to curb hoaxes, scams, and misinformation that spread by exploiting trust between contacts.
- Highly forwarded messages are more likely to contain false information or dangerous links, so it's always a good idea to verify them.
- The label cannot be officially removed; only by copying and pasting the content can it be prevented from appearing, although doing so to spread hoaxes is irresponsible.
If you use WhatsApp daily, it's very likely that you've received a message with the label more than once. “Forwarded” or “Forwarded many times” above the chat bubbleMany users are still unclear about what it means exactly, when it appears, or if it has anything to do with scams, hoaxes, or security problems.
Far from being a simple visual detail, these labels are part of a very deliberate strategy by WhatsApp to curb misinformation, limit mass forwarding and Protect your privacy within the applicationUnderstanding how they work, what they entail, and what you can do when you see that warning will help you use the app more safely and responsibly.
What do the labels “Forwarded” and “Forwarded many times” mean?
When you see the word “Forwarded” above a message, WhatsApp is telling you that That content wasn't originally written by the person sending it to you; it came from another chat.In other words, someone has pressed the forward button instead of writing the text or attaching the file from scratch.
This label appears in both individual and group conversations, and is displayed in almost any type of content: texts, photos, videos, audios, documents or linksThe goal is to make it clear that you are not dealing with a "first-hand" message, but with something that has already circulated through at least one other chat before reaching you.
In the case of “Forwarded many times”, it goes a step further: WhatsApp marks messages that have been forwarded in this way. They have been forwarded five or more times to different chats since they left their original sender.For this to work, the app maintains an internal forwarding counter associated with the message, even though the content remains end-to-end encrypted.
On screen, these "hyper-forwarded" messages are displayed with the label "Forwarded many times" and an icon of double arrowThis distinguishes them from simply "Forwarded" messages, which only have a simple arrow. It's a very clear visual cue that lets you know you're looking at something that's already been shared quite a bit.
Why did WhatsApp decide to mark messages that were forwarded many times?
For years, chain messages, viral videos, and audio files could be forwarded without any warning appearing, but The reality is that this triggered the spread of hoaxes and misinformation around the worldThe case that finally set off the alarms was especially serious and took place in India.
In 2018, in that country where WhatsApp use is massive, the following occurred several crimes related to false rumors that were spread through forwards on the appIn some cases, messages accusing people of kidnapping or serious crimes without evidence ended up leading to lynchings and deaths. The uncontrolled spread of these messages had tragic consequences.
Faced with this scenario, the company decided to take concrete measures to prevent WhatsApp from becoming a perfect channel for amplify hoaxes, coordinated hate campaigns or disinformationFrom there several functions emerged: the limitation of forwards, the "Forwarded" label and, later, the "Forwarded many times" label with its corresponding double arrow.
The idea is that, upon seeing that notice, the user receives a small nudge to their attention: “This has been circulating for a long time, it may not be as reliable as it seems”The aim is to introduce a healthy point of doubt, especially when the content plays on strong emotions such as fear, outrage, or urgency.
How WhatsApp detects that a message has been "forwarded many times"
Although WhatsApp messages are end-to-end encryption and the company cannot read its contentsYes, it has access to certain metadata, including how a message is forwarded and how many times it jumps from one chat to another.
When someone writes an original message and sends it for the first time, the app starts tracking the number of forwards made from that contentEach time one of the recipients taps the forward option and sends it to another chat, the WhatsApp counter increases, without breaking the encryption.
As soon as the system detects that a message has been forwarded at least five times in total From its original creation, the "Forwarded many times" label and the double arrow icon are activated. From that moment on, that content is internally marked as frequently forwarded.
It's important to understand that this doesn't mean you forwarded it five times, but rather that The group of users who have forwarded that message have reached that thresholdThat's why sometimes you receive a video or a chain message for the first time and it already appears as "Forwarded many times" even though you haven't done anything.
“Forwarded many times” and scams: why it's wise to be extra cautious
In addition to misinformation, messages marked as “Forwarded many times” may be associated with attempted fraud or links designed to compromise your securityWhatsApp has warned on several occasions that this type of content should be handled with special care.
Among the most frequent scams are alleged non-existent prizes, fake surveys, sweepstakes campaigns from major brands, or urgent updates from banks and servicesThey often include shortened links or attachments that, when opened, can install malware on the device or redirect you to phishing pages where they ask for personal information.
Cybersecurity experts insist that the risk is not limited to believing fake news, but also to... A single click on a malicious file or link can compromise passwords, bank details, or sensitive information stored on your mobile phone.That's why they recommend a "distrust by default" approach to hyper-forwarded messages.
Seeing the double arrow and the "Forwarded many times" label on a message should work like an amber light: This doesn't mean you should always ignore it, but it is advisable to stop, take a closer look, and verify before proceeding.The more noise and urgency the content conveys, the more suspicious it tends to be.
How to react when you receive a message marked as “Forwarded many times”
If you receive one of these messages, there are a number of simple steps that can greatly reduce the chances of it happening. you may unwittingly contribute to spreading a hoax or fall for a scamYou don't need to be a technology expert, just apply a little critical thinking.
The first step is to adopt a position of reasonable doubt: Don't accept the content as valid just because someone you trust sent it to you.Ask if they know where the message came from, who originally wrote it, or if they can provide a reliable source to back it up.
Next, try Search the internet for information about what the message saysConsult official websites of health organizations, government agencies, banks, service companies, or reputable media outlets. Many well-known hoaxes are quickly debunked by these sources.
At the same time, avoid clicking on suspicious links, especially if they are shortened and it is not clear what page they lead to, and Do not download attachments from sources you are not entirely sure about.If the message asks you to install an application, enter credentials or bank details, be even more suspicious.
If after checking it you see that it is a hoax or a scam, you can notify the person who sent it to you so that Be aware that you have shared something false or dangerousAnd, of course, the most responsible thing to do is not to forward it to anyone else, even if you find it "funny" or eye-catching.
Overall, understanding what's behind the "Forwarded many times" label allows us to look at those messages that fill our groups day in and day out with fresh eyes. to better assess its reliability, protect themselves against fraud, and above all, decide more wisely what is worth continuing to share and what is better to stop forwarding.
I am a technology enthusiast who has turned his "geek" interests into a profession. I have spent more than 10 years of my life using cutting-edge technology and tinkering with all kinds of programs out of pure curiosity. Now I have specialized in computer technology and video games. This is because for more than 5 years I have been writing for various websites on technology and video games, creating articles that seek to give you the information you need in a language that is understandable to everyone.
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