To think I’ll close this WhatsApp group

I don't generally respond on groups to invites out unless I could actually go. If someone messaged on a group WhatsApp and I couldn't go I wouldn't say anything.

Just archive the group.

What I tend to do is mention in person about an event, guage interest then set up WhatsApp group specifically to coordinate logistics of said event. You can name the group I.e. Event 2024. Are they paid events? Cost can be an issue. Lack of interest in the event. Sometimes worth joining social groups that specifically run for purpose of type of event.

Another option is arranging cheap meetups - I have a much more organised friend who does an annual party, one birthday dinner, one christmas meetup, and two just because meetups. She started with one then they snowballed into this annual calendar - some come to all, some come to one or two. She is always chatting to us individually in between though.

I wouldn’t bother with an announcement or even close it down. I’d just stop using it.

Yeah, archive for now and then delete later if no one messages. But if you don't even know if one couple is still together, and you don't message each other, I'd also look at whether you actually still have a friendship

I find digital detoxes great for this type of thing. Sometimes, usually at the end of the year, I delete Whatsapp completely. It removes you from all groups. I give a heads up to groups I care about, and not to the ones I don't. Lovely to start the new year after culling people who never reply/are indifferent.

I’m only the admin as it was me who started the group re a shared hobby prior to Covid- in response to PP above.

Being the ‘admin’ on a WhatsApp group isn’t really a status meaning you run the group, it’s simply just the fact you started it, it doesn’t mean you’re in charge of it, especially since it’s simply a small group of friends.

They might not even see the messages half the time, I have a bunch of notifications come through together and I often miss the WhatsApp ones. I have 4 different message apps on my phone, not by choice

Don’t be silly OP, nobody makes some kind of announcement about the closure of a WhatsApp group, sometimes people just stop using it, its not a big deal (and neither is who is the admin of a group, seriously nobody gives this any thought, it doesn’t mean you’re in charge of it beyond having set it up!)

Just don’t post any messages in it, ignore/mute it whatever but don’t make an announcement, I’m cringing at the thought of it.

I hate to break this to you, but they've got another WhatsApp group without you that they're merrily messaging away in...

Be honest, you want them to say something. There's literally no reason to make a passive aggressive comment and leave a WhatsApp group other than you want them to say "oh no please don't go! We're sorry we ignored you!"

If that's the case, honestly grow up and just talk to them. You say these people are your old friends, why can't you just tell them that you're hurt they don't respond to you, even just to say "no thanks"? Why be passive aggressive and petty with a group of people you ostensibly like and have known a long time?

That’s what I thought? When the admin leaves, the admin is just assigned to someone else in the group.
Op if you leave - the group will still exist without you.
Just mute it, archive it & don’t post anything.

Just stop posting and archive the group. It’s probably what the others have done so they aren’t even aware of you posting.

I do like the statement that the OP is the admin of the group though. Kind of affords it far more importance than it needs.

Really, OP, just stop posting in it.

Just stop posting on it. No announcement needed.

I'm in quite a few of these groups. TBH if you want the events to actually happen, you need to speak separately to the person most likely to say yes and then post "me and Jane are going...who wants to join us". No one ever wants to be first to show interest and/or they want to know who else is going.

A "light-hearted" announcement is the very definition of passive aggressive. You want to make a point, but can't be assertive about it so you do it passively under the guise of light hearted. It's an asshole way to communicate.

WhatsApp groups don't require any kind of self appointed announcer or controller.

Just ignore the group if it isn't useful. It'll disappear from your relevant threads/groups anyway.

Or if you want to comment say something grown up and adult, to the actual point. But what is your actual point? That no one responds to your messages? "I'm not sure if anyone is reading or interested in the events I post here. Should I stop?" I mean, it seems like all you need to do is let the group die.

There is no way to close a Whatsapp group even as admin, you can only leave yourself?

lol

Don’t close the group or make an announcement. That’s flouncing and there will probably be another WhatsApp group made with memes about you flouncing. Just let the group fizzle.

Don't close the group or make an announcement. Just let it die and start sending separate private messages as necessary. I've got all kinds of groups like that on my phone - started by me or by others - where the general tumbleweed vibe means eventually someone starts something completely different with a different membership.

Just don't say anything, just archive it and move on with your life. Honestly. It's for the best.

Closing it may cause ill feeling, which there's no need for.

You've clearly learned that these people aren't interested in the events you're posting - so just stop. If you think a specific friend would be interested in something, send it to them specifically.

People aren't being "rude" by not replying. They probably just think it doesn't apply to them as they're not interested, or they would assume that you're sending the message to lots of people and don't expect a reply.

Why close the group? Actively doing that seems quite passive aggressive. Just stop using it and message people separately if you want to.

Exactly. I think OP wants her friends to notice that she’s closed the group.

Why close the group? Just let it fizzle out. Closing it is petty yes. You don’t need to do anything

I don’t belong to any whatsapp groups so don’t know how it works but I think people are really bombarded with a lot of stuff online—emails, texts, even phone calls-that all need to be screened out or dealt with. I definitely have respinse fatigue. I am part of a group text right now about an ill friend. The others seem to have the energy to socialize on that text but I really don’t. I confine mtself to thumbs up just to show i have read the updates. In reality i have a separate line of communication with my friend so don’t need to participate.

my point is that if the friendships are ongoing I wouldn’t read into the whatsapp situation a coded insult. In any group there are going to be periods of more or less engagement.