# 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="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FAxcmIjbRRpxbhkMsitHK%2Fwhatsapp3.png?alt=media&#x26;token=bc23d21f-8242-4807-8af8-13a9c62aba3e" 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](https://docs.bird.com/applications/content/message-templates/concepts/whatsapp-message-templates/reply-to-open-conversation-message-template):

* [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="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FuuLMgUMudSxUZnLAoJ7J%2Fwhatsapp5.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7f97be2e-3f79-477c-8653-bc07d33a0cd5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

#### Text Header

This is how the header block appears to recipients:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FCKh8Yrb55KZXdhBwRrTF%2Fwhatsapp%20header1.png?alt=media&#x26;token=5c091db9-eb15-4f97-8410-23a22e0cc036" 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="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FgksEotvoKJnAo8vlkIfA%2Fwhatsapp%20text%20body.png?alt=media&#x26;token=41fa7fc3-48bb-4aa2-80e7-2bed5fde7fec" 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="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FC0z5xnYDTu7wU39O95fC%2Fwhatsapp%20text%20footer.png?alt=media&#x26;token=73be81ef-9d9a-4ade-825a-650acec11d27" 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="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2F4SvMfeeHC8mCBhkMlaiy%2Fwhatsapp%20link%20button11.png?alt=media&#x26;token=2762a3f0-0db5-4653-aaf0-c1cdbb2a325d" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

#### Link button

This is how the link button block appears to recipients:

<figure><img src="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FWoldhIDgyxKeAOYdevbG%2Fwhatsapp%20link%20button2.png?alt=media&#x26;token=cff4dc2a-2714-47a4-b3cf-a0c527da2ff0" 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="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2F6cTufZ22mjMIBkIw5IHu%2Fwhatsapp%20copy%20code%20button.png?alt=media&#x26;token=dbd5b84d-78f0-44da-ad02-c6867f951bc9" 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="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FU5Iyf1di0gXsXheCX3j4%2Fwhatsapp%20phone%20button.png?alt=media&#x26;token=fb464bc2-0b84-459e-a59b-6e9060cdb757" 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="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2F1cZ75wQ56f3JUkQ2JsZL%2Fwhatsapp%20open%20catalog.png?alt=media&#x26;token=83913093-eca1-41a3-a185-31d4466d14a6" 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="https://3861485111-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FU9kiDiTGVD8kkbnKKyEn%2Fuploads%2FnWmtBXa1Wubcw8oGZOrM%2Fwhatsapp%20quick%20reply%20button.png?alt=media&#x26;token=41e2f522-1c7b-424a-a19a-b0bf152aa6d9" 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