Getting Started
WhatsApp Number
How To Import WhatsApp Chats
How To Add WhatsApp Number On Facebook or Instagram Page
How should I choose a phone number for WhatsApp?
PRO plan: Support export chat
Backup WhatsApp Chats
How to migrate a phone number from one BSP to another?
Steps to use phone number that has been registered with Whatsapp Business before
How do I scan the QR Code on WATI Trial?
Can you call the WhatsApp number, that's already registered to use WhatsApp Business API?
How can I create a QR Code for my WhatsApp Number?
Can I get Green Tick Verification on my Personal Number?
How To Link WhatsApp Number To Facebook Page
Display Name
Introduction
How to check any known issues with WATI?
What are the limitations of using WhatsApp Business APIs?
What kind of business will be rejected by WhatsApp?
Approve Messaging On-Behalf-Of your brand
How do I get Green Tick Verification for my business?
How long does it take to get approved for WhatsApp Business APIs?
What is the process to get approval for WhatsApp Business APIs?
Creating click to chat link
WhatsApp Manager
Everything you need to know about your WhatsApp Manager
How can I change my display name
How to access WhatsApp Manager?
How to change your phone number
Facebook Business Manager ID
Embedded Sign Up
Can I get WhatsApp API access without Facebook Business Verification?
What are possible common errors in embedded signup flow?
Facebook Business Verification
Why is Facebook Business Verification required?
What if the 'Start Verification' button is greyed?
How to check whether your business is verified?
What are the steps to get Facebook Business Verification?
What documents are required for Facebook Business Verification?
How can I contact Facebook Team for Business Verification Issues?
Troubleshoot common errors in WATI
What's New
Released in 2020
2020.12.1 - Released on Jan 2021
2020.11.1 - Released on Dec 2020
2020.10.1 - Released on Oct 2020
2020.09.1 - Released on Sept 2020
2020.08.1 - Released on Aug 2020
2020.07.1 - Released on July 2020
2020.06.1 - Released on May 2020
2020.05.1 - Released on May 2020
2020.04.1 - Released on Apr 2020
RBI e-Mandate Latest Guidelines
Released in 2021
2021.07.1 - Released on Jan 2022
2021.06.1 - Released on Nov 2021
2021.05.2 - Released on Sep 2021
2021.05.1 - Released on July 2021
2021.04.1 - Released on May 2021
2021.03.1 - Released on Apr 2021
2021.02.1 - Released on Mar 2021
2021.01.1 - Released on Feb 2021
Our Roadmap - See What's Planned
2022.05.1 - Releasing on 18th May 2022
2022.04.2 - Released on 22nd April 2022
2022.04.1 - Released on 6th April 2022
2022.03.2 - Released on 25th Mar 2022
2022.03.1 - Released on Mar 2022
2022.01.2 - Released on Feb 2022
2022.01.1 - Released on Feb 2022
Types of Messages
Template Message
What are template formatting rules?
How to get Opt-in for WhatsApp Messaging?
What is the difference between template message and session message?
How many template messages can be submitted for WhatsApp approval?
What is the max numbers of template message submission?
What is a template message?
Could I attach a PDF or image into a template message?
Session Messages
How to use interactive messages?
Pricing
Conversation Based Pricing
WATI CRM & APIs
What is the pricing for WATI CRMs & APIs?
What are the costs for sending messages?
How much is the setup cost for WATI CRM & APIs?
WhatsApp API Gateway
What are the costs of sending Business Initiated and User Initiated Conversations?
What is Conversation Based Pricing?
What are difference between BASIC plan and PRO plan
APIs & Integrations
WhatsApp APIs
Where can I find the documentation for WhatsApp Business APIs?
Key Differences Between WATI CRM and WATI WhatsApp API Gateway
WATI APIs
Does WATI support Dialogflow Integration?
How can I send WhatsApp Message from Zoho CRM?
What if I need access to more APIs?
Are your file attachment names appearing as null or untitled?
Where can I find WATI API Documentation?
Can I send OTP on WhatsApp?
How can I add webhooks using WATI or WhatsApp API Gateway?
Integration
Add-on: Google Sheet Automation
Integromat Integration
Shopify Integration
Add-on: Google Spreadsheet Sender
Hubspot Integration
How to use pre-defined variables in Shopify or Woocommerce?
What are fixed variables for Shopify integration?
WooCommerce Integration
WhatsApp Shop Plugin
Zoho CRM Integration
How to send template message using Zoho CRM Integration?
WhatsApp Chat Button Integration
How to create a COD (Cash on Delivery) Template
WATI Embedded Team Inbox in Zoho
Shopify Integration for TRIAL user
What are fixed variables for Woocomerce integration?
Zapier Integration
Where can I find the API Endpoint URL and Bearer Token?
HubSpot WhatsApp Integration: Capture New WhatsApp Contacts To HubSpot For Free
LeadSquared WhatsApp Integration: Capture All New WhatsApp Contacts To LeadSquared
How to set up Cash on Delivery (COD) in Shopify
Team Inbox on WATI
Team Inbox
WATI Account running Slow
How to add a tag to chat?
Copy Conversation URL
What happens if someone you blocked messages you again?
How to use quick replies/canned replies?
What features does WATI Team Inbox offer?
How to start a new Chat?
How to add contact to Favorite?
How to add custom parameters?
How to download chats from WATI?
How to search and filter chats?
Automation - Building a chatbot
Routing
Keyword Action
Flow
What features are available in advance flow builder
Advance flow builder: Update Attribute
Advance flow builder: Template
How to use Conditions for Flowbuilder
What and how to access Flow Builder?
Advance flow builder: Setup Assign Agent / Assign Team
How to use Questions for Flowbuilder
Advance flow builder: Setup Subscribe or Unsubscribe
Advance flow builder: Webhook
How to build a flow
Advanced Flow Builder: Invoke New Flow
How to create list message & message with reply button?
Advance Flow Builder: Time Delay
Flow Builder: What is a node and how many types of node?
Export and Import of Flows
How to collect data using Google Spreadsheets
How to update data using Google Spreadsheets
Reply Material
Default Action
Introduction
Broadcast Messaging & Templates
Broadcast
How to allow users to Opt-Out or Unsubscribe from Broadcasts?
How do I edit, delete or cancel a scheduled broadcast?
What is a Broadcast History?
What is a broadcast?
How do I add a new Broadcast?
Tips to send personalized media content broadcast to each number
How to send message to someone who is not in the Contact List?
Is there a limit of broadcast messages?
How can I search and filter Broadcasts?
Where can I see Broadcast Statistics?
Template Messages
How to submit template messages on WhatsApp Manager for WhatsApp API Gateway
What are the supported languages for template update?
How to avoid template message rejection?
What are the category values of Template Message?
Template Message Guidelines
How to export and import template messages from one environment to a new environment?
How to add buttons with template messages?
How do I create a Template Message?
Are non-transactional messages allowed with WhatsApp Business APIs?
What are actions in Template Messages Page?
How to setup auto recharge for broadcast credit?
How to add buttons to templates?
How do I check and add credit to send broadcast template message
Contact Management
Personalization & Account Management
Operator Management
How to view, search and delete operator?
How to force logout a specific user from all active sessions?
Detail Access Menu of each Roles
How do I add more agents to my account?
How to add team and assign operator to team?
Account & Billing
How do I unsubscribe from WATI?
How can I download the past invoices?
What are the working hours for WATI Support Team?
How can I manage the billing and payment methods?
Personalize your account
Dashboard and Reports
Mobile Apps
Terms, Privacy & Security
- All Categories
- Broadcast Messaging & Templates
- Template Messages
- Template Message Guidelines
Template Message Guidelines
Updated
by Prabhansh Jain
WhatsApp Template Message Guidelines
Template Message criteria from WhatsApp
- Businesses can now send non-transactional messages outside the 24-hour window with user opt-in! Product recommendations, back-in-stock alerts, timely offers. Informational alerts are allowed.
- Be specific and clear. Facebook reviewers may not know your business and will need more context around how the template will be used - you can also include a sample.
- Be careful with formatting. Check for spelling errors and use appropriate formatting (e.g., double curly brackets for variable parameters - {{name}}, {{amount}}, etc).
- Sensitive content will not be approved. Do not include abusive or threatening content in your template message, or request sensitive identifiers from customers.
- Messages should be expected, relevant, and timely. Customers have already opted in to receive this information, messages are personalized with a clear call to action(s), and should be received at a logical time.
How to get your template messages approved faster?
In addition to the above, please consider the following to accelerate the approval process.
- Make your template name clear. Instead of using "template_014”, please use "bus_ticket_details".
- Do not use a mixture of languages. Select one language only for your template content, not a mixture like “Hindi-English” or “Spanish-English”.
- If you need to send a template to re-open the 24-hour window, we would suggest sending one related to your previous conversation with that customer. Examples:
- “I'm sorry that I wasn't able to respond to your concerns yesterday but I’m happy to assist you now. If you’d like to continue this discussion, please reply with ‘yes’”
- “I was able to do some follow-up based on our previous conversation, and I’ve found the answer to your question about our refund policy. If you’d like to continue our conversation, please say ‘yes’
What is a User opt-in?
All businesses using WhatsApp must obtain opt-in from customers prior to sending a single proactive notification through the platform. This is especially true if you want to send non-transactional template messages outside the 24-hour window.
- You can collect opt-in wherever is best for your customers. Here’s some example:
- In a WhatsApp thread
- On your website
- SMS short code
- QR code
- Ads that click to WhatsApp
- During the transaction process
Opt-In Examples
Below are some Opt-in examples implemented by different brands.




WhatsApp Template Message sample (Approved)
- Confirmation
- Order
- Membership
- Booking
- In-person Event
- Customer Support
- Order
- Re-engaging existing customers
- Mobile phone provider - a reminder about plan renewals
- Financial Services - new credit card installment plan
- Retail/Ecommerce - reminder about product back-in-stock
- Travel - abandoned flight reminders
- Start conversation with new customers who has opted-in somewhere else
- Alerts on upcoming offers
- Timely offers
- Daily updates for opt-in customers
- Informational alerts with clear opt-out flows - “Please reply STOP to unsubscribe”
- Alerts on upcoming offers
WhatsApp Template Message sample (Rejected)
- Formatting is incorrect - Find out more about formatting in the WhatsApp Business API Guidelines
- Templates with spelling mistakes
- Make sure to use variable parameters - such as {{1}}, {{name}} - with 2 curly brackets on each side
- Templates with spelling mistakes
- Template(s) are considered promotional:
- Free Gift:
- Prize
- Free Gift:
- Templates contain potentially abusive or threatening content
- Threaten customers with a legal course of action
- Threaten to add customers to a WhatsApp group with their friends and family to shame
them if they don't pay back their loans
- Templates violates WhatsApp’s Business Policy
- Request sensitive identifiers from users, such as full length payment card numbers or National Identification numbers will be rejected.
- Collect unrelated data from users will be rejected, such as survey to collect user’s height after an online English class
- A survey after an experience is fine - “Hi, we're interested in knowing how you feel about certain food groups. Do you mind participating in a survey?”
Thank you!