Summary
An Official Business Account (OBA) on WhatsApp is a verified business profile that displays a blue checkmark next to your business name. This helps customers identify your business as authentic and increases trust in your brand.
Only businesses using the WhatsApp Business Platform can apply for OBA verification. Meta now requires OBA requests to be submitted through a Business Solution Provider (BSP), such as Wati.
To apply through Wati, your business must meet Meta's eligibility requirements, including having a verified Meta Business Portfolio, an approved WhatsApp Business Account, and a strong public presence supported by reputable third-party sources. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee approval, as the final decision is made by Meta.
Note: Meta also offers Meta Verified for Business as a paid subscription. Meta Verified and Official Business Account (Blue Tick) verification are separate programs with different requirements and benefits. For full details, follow this article.
Instructions
What is an Official Business Account (OBA)?
An Official Business Account (OBA) is a verified business profile on WhatsApp that displays a blue checkmark badge next to your business name.
This verification helps customers recognize your business as authentic and trustworthy.
Only businesses using the WhatsApp Business Platform are eligible to apply for OBA verification.
Benefits of having an OBA
An Official Business Account provides several benefits:
Your business name is displayed instead of your phone number, even when customers have not saved your number.
A blue checkmark appears next to your business name.
Customers can more easily identify your business as authentic.
Verified businesses may benefit from increased customer trust and engagement.
Recent changes to the OBA verification process
Meta has updated its verification process.
Businesses can no longer submit Official Business Account requests directly. OBA verification requests must now be submitted through a Business Solution Provider (BSP), such as Wati.
If your business meets the eligibility requirements, Wati can submit the verification request to Meta on your behalf.
Prerequisites for Official Business Account (Blue Tick) verification
Before requesting Official Business Account (OBA) verification through Wati, make sure your business meets the following requirements:
You are using an approved WhatsApp Business Platform account.
Your WhatsApp Business Account has been active for at least 30 days.
Two-step verification is enabled for your WhatsApp phone number.
For Wati customers, two-step verification is enabled by default.
The Meta Business Portfolio that owns your WhatsApp number has successfully completed Meta Business Verification.
Your WhatsApp display name has been approved by Meta.
Your account has reached Messaging Tier 1 or higher.
Messaging Tier 2 (10,000 business-initiated conversations per 24 hours) or above is recommended.
You represent a registered business. Individual accounts are not eligible.
Your business has an established public presence and is recognized by reputable third-party sources.
Important
If any of these requirements are not met, Meta is likely to reject the verification request.
Meeting all eligibility requirements does not guarantee approval. Final approval is determined solely by Meta.
If your business meets all the eligibility requirements, the Submit request button for Official Business Account (OBA) verification will become available in your WhatsApp Manager.
If the Submit request button is available in WhatsApp Manager, it generally indicates that your account meets Meta's eligibility requirements and is ready for review. Meeting these requirements can improve the likelihood of a successful OBA application.
Whether or not you see the Submit request button in WhatsApp Manager, please reach out to our support team. We will review your eligibility and submit the Official Business Account (OBA) verification request to Meta on your behalf.
Demonstrating business notability
Meta evaluates whether a business is notable based on its public presence and recognition.
As part of your verification request, you can provide up to 5 links from reputable third-party sources that mention or feature your business.
Examples include:
News articles from recognized publications
Business directories and industry listings
Wikipedia pages
Coverage from reputable media outlets such as India Today, The Economic Times, Reuters, Business Insider, and The Wall Street Journal
These sources should demonstrate that your business has an established public presence beyond its own website and social media channels.
How to request OBA verification through Wati
If your business meets the eligibility requirements, contact the Wati support team to request Official Business Account verification.
You can contact the Wati support team through:
The in-app help widget in your Wati Team Inbox.
The support widget available in the Wati Help Center.
Our team will:
Review your account and eligibility.
Verify that the required documentation and supporting links are available.
Submit the OBA verification request to Meta on your behalf.
Is Blue Tick verification guaranteed?
No. Official Business Account (Blue Tick) verification is not guaranteed.
WhatsApp Business Platform approval and Official Business Account verification are separate processes. A business may be approved to use the WhatsApp Business Platform but still be denied OBA verification.
Meta grants OBA status only to a limited number of businesses that meet its eligibility and notability requirements.
The final decision is made entirely by Meta, and Wati cannot influence the outcome.
What happens if my request is rejected?
If Meta rejects your Official Business Account request, you can submit a new request after 30 days.
During this period, consider strengthening your business's public presence by gaining additional coverage from reputable third-party sources. This may improve your chances of approval in future submissions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Official Business Account (OBA) eligibility and application
1. What is an Official Business Account (OBA) on WhatsApp?
An Official Business Account (OBA) is a verified business profile on WhatsApp that displays a blue checkmark badge next to the business name. It helps customers recognize the business as authentic and trustworthy. Only businesses using the WhatsApp Business Platform are eligible to apply for OBA verification.
2. What are the benefits of having an Official Business Account?
An Official Business Account provides the following benefits:
Your business name is displayed instead of your phone number, even if customers have not saved your number.
A blue checkmark appears next to your business name.
Customers can more easily identify your business as authentic.
Verified businesses may benefit from increased customer trust and engagement.
3. Can businesses submit OBA verification requests directly to Meta?
No. Businesses can no longer submit Official Business Account verification requests directly. OBA verification requests must be submitted through a Business Solution Provider (BSP), such as Wati.
Eligibility requirements
4. What are the requirements for applying for Official Business Account verification through Wati?
Before requesting Official Business Account verification through Wati, your business must meet the following requirements:
You are using an approved WhatsApp Business Platform account.
Your WhatsApp Business Account has been active for at least 30 days.
Two-step verification is enabled for your WhatsApp phone number.
The Meta Business Portfolio that owns your WhatsApp number has completed Meta Business Verification.
Your WhatsApp display name has been approved by Meta.
Your account has reached Messaging Tier 1 or higher.
You represent a registered business.
Your business has an established public presence and is recognized by reputable third-party sources.
5. Does meeting all eligibility requirements guarantee OBA approval?
No. Meeting all eligibility requirements does not guarantee approval. Final approval is determined solely by Meta.
6. What does the Submit request button in WhatsApp Manager indicate?
If the Submit request button is available in WhatsApp Manager, it generally indicates that the account meets Meta's eligibility requirements and is ready for review. Meeting these requirements may improve the likelihood of a successful OBA application.
Business notability
7. How can I demonstrate my business's notability for OBA verification?
You can provide up to 5 links from reputable third-party sources that mention or feature your business. Examples include:
News articles from recognized publications
Business directories and industry listings
Wikipedia pages
Coverage from media outlets such as India Today, The Economic Times, Reuters, Business Insider, and The Wall Street Journal
These sources should demonstrate that your business has an established public presence beyond its own website and social media channels.
Application process
8. How do I request Official Business Account verification through Wati?
Contact the Wati support team through the in-app help widget in your Wati Team Inbox or through the support widget in the Wati Help Center. Wati will review your eligibility, verify the required documentation and supporting links, and submit the OBA verification request to Meta on your behalf.
9. Should I contact Wati even if the Submit request button is available in WhatsApp Manager?
Yes. Whether or not the Submit request button is available in WhatsApp Manager, you should contact the Wati support team. Wati will review your eligibility and submit the Official Business Account verification request to Meta on your behalf.
Verification outcomes
10. What happens if my Official Business Account verification request is rejected?
If Meta rejects your Official Business Account verification request, you can submit a new request after 30 days. During that time, you can strengthen your business's public presence by obtaining additional coverage from reputable third-party sources, which may improve your chances of approval in a future submission.