Summary

If your WhatsApp template message gets rejected, you need to understand the reason so you can fix and resubmit it. This guide will help you check the rejection reason in your Meta Business Manager, understand policy issues, and learn how to request a review if necessary.

Additionally, starting April 9, 2025, Meta will automatically update the category if needed (e.g. from utility to marketing). If you feel Meta misclassified and wish to appeal, you can follow this guide.

Instructions

How to Check the Rejection Reason

Follow these steps to find out why your template message was rejected:

Step 1: Navigate to Business Support Home

Go to Business Support Home in your Meta Business Account.
Select the WhatsApp account where the rejected template was submitted.

Step 2: View Rejected Templates

Click on Rejected Template Messages.
A list of all rejected templates will be displayed along with their Policy Issue.

Common Policy Issues and How to Fix Them

Use the table below to resolve common template rejection issues:

Policy Issue	Action Required
Duplicate Template	Ensure your template is not a duplicate of an existing approved one. If you've made edits, request a review.
Category Mismatch	Verify that you've selected the correct category. Check the Template Category Guidelines for details. If you believe your category is correct, request a review or resubmit under the suggested category.
Shortened URL	Do not use shortened URLs in your templates. Use full URLs instead.
Incorrect Test Template	Ensure your test template follows the correct format: `template name=test; content= Hello {{VariableName}}`.
Media Template Without Sample	Provide a sample for any media template. Only `.pdf` format is accepted for documents.
Floating Parameters	Ensure every parameter used has a sample value.
Misleading Content	Templates must comply with the WhatsApp Commerce Policy. Avoid content related to multi-level marketing, payday loans, gambling, alcohol, or misleading health-related claims.

How to Request or Appeal a Review of a Rejected Template

If you believe your template was wrongly rejected, you can request a review by following these steps:

Please note the right to approve or reject your template lies solely with Meta

Step 1: Submit a Review Request

Select the rejected template message you want to appeal.
Click on Request Review.

Step 2: Provide an Appeal Reason

Choose an Appeal Reason from the available options.
Click Submit.

Note: For an appeal to review and update the template category remains the same. You will find the violations related to template categories under Template category updates.

If WhatsApp approves your template after the review, please reach out to our support team.

By following these steps, you can successfully troubleshoot template message rejections and ensure compliance with WhatsApp's policies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Checking Rejected Templates

How can I check why my WhatsApp template was rejected? → Go to Business Support Home in your Meta Business Account. Navigate to your WhatsApp account and click on Rejected Template Messages to view the rejection reasons.
Where can I find the policy issue for a rejected template? → When you view the list of rejected templates in Business Support Home, each template will include a Policy Issue detailing the reason for rejection.

Common Template Rejection Reasons & Fixes

What does "Duplicate Template" mean? → It means the template you submitted is a duplicate of an already approved one. If you’ve made edits to an existing template, you can request a review.
What should I do if my template category is marked as mismatched? → Check the Template Category Guidelines to ensure you’ve selected the correct category. If you believe your choice is accurate, request a review or resubmit under the suggested category.
Can I use shortened URLs in my template messages? → No, WhatsApp does not allow shortened URLs. Always use full URLs in your templates.
What is an incorrect test template format? → Your test template must follow the correct format:template name=test; content= Hello {{VariableName}}
Why was my media template rejected for missing a sample? → If you submit a media template, you must include a sample file. For document templates, only .pdf files are accepted.
What are floating parameters, and why are they a problem? → Floating parameters occur when a variable is included in the template without a sample value. Always provide a sample for each parameter used.
What types of content are considered misleading? → WhatsApp does not allow templates promoting multi-level marketing, payday loans, gambling, alcohol, or misleading health-related claims. Ensure your content aligns with the WhatsApp Commerce Policy.

Requesting a Review

How can I appeal a rejected template message?
1. Go to Business Support Home and find the rejected template.
2. Click Request Review.
3. Select an Appeal Reason and click Submit.
Who decides whether my template is approved after review? → Meta has the sole authority to approve or reject templates after review.