# WhatsApp approved message templates

{% hint style="warning" %}
WhatsApp approved templates are the only type of message you can use to initiate WhatsApp conversations with customers who have not interacted with you in the last 24 hours.
{% endhint %}

WhatsApp approved message templates are used for starting business-initiated conversations or sending messages containing external links that need to be approved by WhatsApp.

## Key components of a WhatsApp approved message template

In this section, we'll look at the key components of a WhatsApp approved message template and how you can configure them.

### Message template categories

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/9KjmhOatSRqgt9eAut30" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

During the message template creation process, you'll need to select one of the following category types for your approved message:

* **Marketing**: Send promotional offers, product announcements, and more to increase awareness and engagement.
* **Authentication**: Send codes that allow your customers to securely access their accounts.
* **Utility**: Send account updates, order updates, alerts, and more to share important information.

{% hint style="info" %}
From June 1st 2023, WhatsApp vendor fees will vary based on the category that is applied to your template.
{% endhint %}

### Content block types

Because you're setting up a WhatsApp approved template, you'll have access to the following special content blocks that aren't available for other channels, or for the [Reply to open conversation WhatsApp template](/applications/content/message-templates/concepts/whatsapp-message-templates/reply-to-open-conversation-message-template.md):

* [Header](#header)
* [Body](#body)
* [Footer](#footer)
* [Action buttons](#action-buttons)
* [Reply buttons](#reply-button)

#### Add content blocks to your message template

Content blocks can be added to your message template in the editor by clicking the **Add new block** button and selecting one of the content block types from the list.

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/5ak8CMwJhZDWLEvobRjC" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

#### Text Header

This is how the header block appears to recipients:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/hRpCo9AojLtjS5I9DQrs" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Header text can be used as a short introduction or subject line at the start of your message.

#### Text Body

This is how the body block appears to recipients:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/IRvBDUZWZVjyzjgeJgL2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

This is a default block that we automatically create for you when you set up a WhatsApp approved template. This is where you should add the main message that you want to send.

#### Text Footer

This is how the footer block appears to recipients:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/p4Q4myrQCPiUVP9Ow17l" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

This is a default block that we automatically create for you when you set up a WhatsApp approved template. Footer text can be used to provide additional context or details about your message at the end of the message.

The footer is a good place to surface a message to make it clear that recipients can opt out of your messages by replying with an opt-out keyword, such as "STOP".

### Action Buttons

Action buttons are specialised buttons that allow you to offer a variety of actions such as opening a URL, letting the user copy a code, or calling a phone number.

They can be configured and have unique features and icons. These action buttons include —

* [Link button](#link-button)
* [Copy Code button](#copy-code-button)
* [Phone button](#phone-button)
* [Open Catalog button](#open-catalog-button)

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/Y0zgPPcRDjJfwTKLAze1" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

#### Link button

This is how the link button block appears to recipients:

<figure><img src="/files/ffNM8vfmfTq1tdP3QoBC" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Link buttons create a clickable button with call-to-action text that allows recipients to quickly access a URL.

* You can use variables in your link, but they can only be added at the end of a URL.
* You can add a maximum of one link button to your message template.

When adding a link button, format your URL like this:

```
https://messagebird.com
```

The following URL formats will be rejected:

```
messagebird.com
```

```
www.messagebird.com
```

{% hint style="warning" %}
You can have a maximum of two [link buttons](#link-button) in a template.
{% endhint %}

#### Copy Code button

This is how the copy code button block appears to recipients

<figure><img src="/files/ZHdUw5pGypHzhiwcTpsW" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Copy Code buttons create a clickable button with call-to-action text, allowing recipients to copy text to their clipboard quickly.

* You can use variables in your code
* You can add a maximum of one copy code button to your message template.

#### Phone Button

This is how the phone button appears to recipients

<figure><img src="/files/7RXXQWx6F4zA0AcVodNp" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Phone buttons create a clickable button with call-to-action text, allowing recipients to dial a phone number quickly. This eliminates the possibility of your recipients dialling the wrong number.

* You can't use variables in your call to action label
* You can't use variables in your phone number
* You can add a maximum of one phone button to your message template.

#### Open Catalog button

This is how the open catalog button appears to recipients

<figure><img src="/files/nfJVyS1BMK0u6tDqww9c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Open catalog buttons create a clickable button with call-to-action text, allowing recipients to browse your WhatsApp catalog.

* You may only use this if you offer your products in [the WhatsApp Catalog service](https://faq.whatsapp.com/405903568419894).
* You can add a maximum of one open catalog button to your message template.

#### Quick Reply buttons

This is how the reply button block appears to recipients:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/gKIeZdzkxcdD4HssMD1I" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

Reply buttons create a clickable button that allows recipients to quickly reply with a message that you have pre-defined. Optionally, you can include an internal payload when recipients use the reply button to respond.&#x20;

* You can add a maximum of ten reply buttons to your template or
* A maximum 2 link buttons and 8 reply buttons
* A combination of Open Catalog Button and Quick Reply Button is not allowed

## WhatsApp Template Restrictions

Please keep in mind of the following WhatsApp template restrictions when you send the template for approval otherwise your templates may get rejected.

* You cannot start a template text body with a variable
* You cannot end the template text body with a variable
* You cannot have 2 variables together in the text body
* Text body can have at most 1024 characters and 10 emojis
* Emojis are not supported on button text


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