Summary
Maintaining a high-quality messaging rating and avoiding being blocked by WhatsApp requires giving users control over their messaging preferences. Allowing users to stop messages and resubscribe ensures compliance with WhatsApp’s best practices.
Note: Broadcasts are now Campaigns – same powerful features, updated name!
Instructions
Steps to enable Stop flow
Step 1: Add a Stop Button to Template Messages
Go to Templates in your Wati portal.
Edit the template you want to use for messaging.
Add a quick reply button labeled "Stop" (or your preferred keyword). Example: A quick reply button at the bottom of your template reading “Stop”.
Save the template.
Tip: You can also include a footer text like “Reply Stop to stop receiving messages from us.”
Step 2: Enable the rule “Unsubscribe from campaign” available under Rules
Navigate to Automation → Rules in your Wati account.
Under Rules you should see a built-in rule called Unsubscribe from campaign.
Edit the rule and under Filter conditions, remove the keyword Unsubscribe.
Enable the rule.
Note: If you are using the keyword Unsubscribe in your template message, then remove the keyword Stop from the Filter condition of the Unsubscribe from campaign rule.
Unsubscribe from campaign rule is available by default for new customers only. If you are an old customer and don’t see the Unsubscribe from campaign rule, don’t worry. It’s quite simple to create a new rule.
How to create a new rule for unsubscribe
Follow these steps to create a new rule for unsubscribe:
Step 1: Create a Unsubscribe reply material
Go to Automation → Reply Material under Action Library.
Select Contact Attributes.
Click on Add to add a new reply material of type Contact Attribute.
Enter Unsubscribe under the material name.
Under Attribute, select Allow Campaign and set it to False.
Click on Save.
Step 2: Create a "Unsubscribe from campaign" automation rule
Go to Automations → Rules.
Click on Create Rules button.
Give an appropriate name to the rule such as Unsubscribe from campaign.
Select New WhatsApp message received.
Under Filter add a condition and select Incoming message matches keyword rule.
Select the Matching method as Exactly matches.
Under Keyword(s) - add Unsubscribe or Stop depending on the keyword you are using in your template message.
Under Actions select Update contact attribute and select Unsubscribe reply material you just created.
Save changes and enable the rule.
How users can unsubscribe
Unsubscribing is simple! Users just need to type "STOP" in response to any message.
Once they send the "STOP" keyword, they will receive an automatic confirmation message.
Their allowCampaign setting will be updated to FALSE, ensuring they no longer receive future messages from WATI.
How users can resubscribe
Rejoining is just as easy! Users can type "START" to resubscribe.
After sending "START", they will receive an auto-reply confirming their subscription.
Their allowCampaign setting will be updated to TRUE, allowing them to receive messages from WATI again.
This quick opt-in and opt-out process ensures users have full control over their messaging preferences.
Best Practices
Use clear, easy-to-understand stop wording. Include both a quick reply button and footer text to improve visibility. Regularly test your stop and resubscribe flows to avoid accidental blocks or user complaints.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General questions
1. Why is it important to allow users to stop campaign messages?
Allowing users to stop messages helps maintain a good messaging quality rating, reduces blocks, and follows WhatsApp’s best practices by giving users control over their preferences.
2. Are Broadcasts and Campaigns the same feature?
Yes. Broadcasts have been renamed to Campaigns, with no change to how the feature works.
Setting up the stop flow
3. How do I let users stop receiving campaign messages?
You can add a quick reply button like Stop to your template message and enable an automation rule that unsubscribes users when they reply with the stop keyword.
4. Where do I add the Stop button in Wati?
You add the Stop button while editing a template message in the Templates section of your Wati portal.
5. What does the “Unsubscribe from campaign” rule do?
This rule automatically updates the contact’s settings so they no longer receive campaign messages when they send the stop keyword.
6. What should I do if I don’t see the “Unsubscribe from campaign” rule?
If you don’t see the rule, you can create a new automation rule that updates the Allow Campaign contact attribute to False.
Unsubscribing and resubscribing
7. How can users unsubscribe from messages?
Users can unsubscribe by replying with STOP to any campaign message. They will receive a confirmation message, and future campaigns will stop.
8. How can users resubscribe to messages?
Users can reply with START to resubscribe. Their campaign permission will be updated, and they will receive a confirmation message.
Best practices
9. What are the recommended best practices for stop and resubscribe flows?
Use clear stop wording, include both a quick reply button and footer text, and regularly test your unsubscribe and resubscribe flows to prevent issues.