# Getting an Official Business Account ("Green Tick") for WhatsApp

* [What is the Green Tick?](#h_01F1F3KZFC410QZYBVNK4Y7TWP)
* [Can I apply to get the Green Tick?](#h_01F1F3M5TSVTE2DJWFHPP2QB7E)
* [How can I apply?](#h_01F1F3MBXAE0BE3E35EBZPF4MR)
* [What are some best practices for getting approval?](#h_01F1F3MZF199JNKPFC9M11MFEX)
* [What if I don't get approved?](#h_01F1F3N65AH5ANHCRBT6AHDVX9)

#### What is the Green Tick? <a href="#h_01f1f3kzfc410qzybvnk4y7twp" id="h_01f1f3kzfc410qzybvnk4y7twp"></a>

The Green Tick next to a WhatsApp name indicates that the entity has been approved as an **Official Business Account**. When you sign up for WhatsApp with MessageBird, you must first receive approval of your use case to get started. When your application is approved, you are a **Business Account**, and you can start using the service to talk to your customers.

However, approval of your use case does not automatically mean that you are an **Official Business Account**, and users will see a Green Tick next to your name. To become an **Official Business Account**, you must go through a second approval process.&#x20;

Below is a quick comparison of the types of accounts:

| **Business Account**                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | **Official Business Account**                                                                                                                                    |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| <ul><li>Access to WhatsApp for Businesses</li><li>Display name shown in contacts view in smaller list</li><li>Phone number shown in all other views </li><li>For customers to learn more about you you can fill out business info</li></ul> | <ul><li>Access to WhatsApp for Businesses</li><li>Display name shown on all views (phone number not displayed)</li><li>Green Tick next to display name</li></ul> |

#### &#x20;

#### Can I apply to get the Green Tick? <a href="#h_01f1f3m5tsvte2djwfhpp2qb7e" id="h_01f1f3m5tsvte2djwfhpp2qb7e"></a>

You can apply for an Official Business Account if you have been approved for a WhatsApp Business Account. Unfortunately, we see that only a tiny percentage of accounts get approved to receive the Green Tick. Generally, only well-known brands or entities receive approval.&#x20;

#### &#x20;

#### How can I apply? <a href="#h_01f1f3mbxae0be3e35ebzpf4mr" id="h_01f1f3mbxae0be3e35ebzpf4mr"></a>

For us to send the application, simply follow the steps below:

1. Make sure your [Facebook Business account has been successfully verified](https://support.messagebird.com/hc/en-us/articles/360012920877-Verifying-your-Facebook-Business-Account).
2. Click the *Edit* icon for the WhatsApp channel you want to request Official Business Account status.
3. At the foot of the page, you’ll see **Enable two-factor authentication**.
4. Set a 6-digit pin and click **Save**.
5. Log in to the [Business Manager](https://business.facebook.com/) and click on the *Accounts* tab > **WhatsApp accounts.**
6. Search for the correct WhatsApp Business Account and click on *WhatsApp Manager*.
7. Navigate to the *Phone Numbers* tab, search for the phone number and click on **Settings**.
8. Go to **Profile** and click on the **Submit Request** button and fill out the required information.\ <br>

   <figure><img src="https://675349995-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUJNEE9TMK4fU91VKstBr%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-48be4b7508da22759a1206174bcf06fe4ce272fb%2F9856354800785?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

   \ <br>
9. And that’s it! You will receive a notification with Meta's resolution within 1-2 business days. Check your email, Business Manager notifications, or the profile section of your number for updates.

#### I don’t have access to my WhatsApp Business Account

If you don’t have access to your WhatsApp Business Account because you have an OBO (On Behalf Of) WhatsApp Business Account, please follow the steps below:

1. Make sure your [Facebook Business account has been successfully verified](https://support.messagebird.com/hc/en-us/articles/360012920877-Verifying-your-Facebook-Business-Account).
2. Go to the [WhatsApp channel configuration ](https://dashboard.messagebird.com/en/channels/whatsapp)in your MessageBird Dashboard.
3. Hit the edit icon for the WhatsApp channel you want to request Official Business Account status.
4. At the foot of the page, you’ll see **Enable two-factor authentication**.
5. Set a 6-digit pin and click **Save**.
6. Once you’ve set the pin, please [contact our support team](https://support.messagebird.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=360004114037) requesting a WhatsApp Official Business Account.
7. And that’s it! We’ll send the request on your behalf and send you a confirmation email once it's approved.

#### What are some best practices for getting approval? <a href="#h_01f1f3mzf199jnkpfc9m11mfex" id="h_01f1f3mzf199jnkpfc9m11mfex"></a>

To get the Green Tick, you can do some things that will increase your chances of getting approved for a Whatsapp Official Business Account. As a general rule of thumb, remember that Official Business Accounts are not granted to employees, departments, or test accounts. Official Business Accounts are only granted to companies as a whole for real use cases.

***Account setup***&#x20;

Before you apply for your Official Business Account you should make sure your business has been verified on Facebook, and you have 2 Factor Authentication set up. You can read here how to verify your business:[ How to verify your Facebook Business Account](https://docs.bird.com/connectivity-platform/getting-started/verifying-your-facebook-business-account)

***Email address***

We recommend that if you wish to apply for an Official Business Account, you make sure to add an official email domain to your Facebook Business Account. You could use an official email domain (such as ["username@companyname.com](mailto:%22username@company.com)") from your business or entity rather than a webmail email like <username@gmail.com> or ["username@yahoo.com](mailto:%22username@yahoo.com)". Webmail addresses are most often rejected as they cannot be affiliated with established businesses.

***Display name***

Your display name can make a difference in the approval process. When applying, you should ensure your display name adheres to [the guidelines](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/guides/display-name#guidelines) for display names. If there is an inconsistency of the display name with external branding or there is an unclear relation to the business, your request will likely be rejected.

***Online presence***

From experience, we know that your account must represent a well-known, often-searched brand or entity. Accounts that are featured in multiple news sources have a higher chance of getting approval but note that paid or promotional content is not considered as a source for review.

When applying for a Green Tick, add links to articles to get a higher chance of getting an Official Business Account.

&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://675349995-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FUJNEE9TMK4fU91VKstBr%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-08a0cb1ca752f25c87e106bd774ff6a52fe7f9b9%2F9856475039633?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

#### &#x20;

#### What if I don't get approved? <a href="#h_01f1f3n65ah5anhcrbt6ahdvx9" id="h_01f1f3n65ah5anhcrbt6ahdvx9"></a>

Don't worry! From experience, we know that this happens a lot. A rejection for an Official Business Account does not mean that your account has been canceled or you are not adhering to guidelines. It's possible that your brand or entity is simply not big or well-known enough. Unfortunately, we do not get detailed feedback per case as to why an application was rejected.

If a request for a verified business account is rejected, a cooldown period of one-month starts, during which no reapplication is possible. You can reapply for an Official Business Account when the cooldown has ended.


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