Reach
Broadcasts
A broadcast goes to a list of people at the same moment — a launch, an offer, a reminder. It is not a reply; the people who receive it are chosen by their tags and status, which is why tagging as you go matters.
On this screen
In the order the tour shows them.
One message, many people
A broadcast goes to a list of people at the same moment — a launch, an offer, a reminder. It is not a reply; the people who receive it are chosen by their tags and status, which is why tagging as you go matters.
Write one
New picks the channel, then the composer asks who it goes to and what it says. Drafts stay here until you send or schedule them, and anything sent keeps its own delivery and read report.
Drafts, scheduled, sent
Filter by status to see what is waiting, what is queued, and what has gone. Search finds a past broadcast by name when you want to reuse what worked.
Ideas you'll meet
The same explanations the ⓘ marks give in the app.
- template category
- Utility is about a transaction that already exists — orders, reminders, alerts. Marketing is anything promotional. Most rejections are the wrong category, and rewording won't fix that. Read the guide →
- opt-in
- Permission specific enough that the person would recognise having given it. Sending without it lowers your number's quality rating, which cuts your sending limits. Read the guide →
- quality rating
- Meta's read on how people receive your messages. It isn't cosmetic — blocks and reports push it down, and a low rating cuts how many people you can message a day. Read the guide →
- the 24-hour window
- You can reply freely for 24 hours after the person's last message. Outside it, only a message tag Meta recognises will send, and tags have narrow permitted uses. Read the guide →
- who can be messaged
- Telegram has no 24-hour window, but the person has to have started the chat with your bot first. There is no way to message somebody who never pressed Start. Read the guide →
Guides
The longer reads behind this screen.
- WhatsApp's 24-hour window, explained properlyWhy your WhatsApp message won't send, what the 24-hour window actually measures, and the only three ways to reopen a conversation once it closes.3 min · platform rules checked 2026-08-27
- Getting a WhatsApp template approved first timeWhy WhatsApp templates get rejected, what the categories actually mean for cost, and how to write one that passes review without a second attempt.3 min · platform rules checked 2026-08-27
Common questions
Does replying to a customer reset the 24-hour window?
No. The window is measured from the customer's last message to you. Your own replies do not extend it, which is why a conversation that feels active can still be closed.
What happens if I try to send a free-form message after 24 hours?
The WhatsApp Cloud API refuses it. Outside the window the only message type accepted is a template that Meta has already approved.
Can I pay to bypass the 24-hour window?
No. It is enforced by the API, not by policy, and there is no paid tier that removes it. Templates are the supported way to reach someone outside the window.
Does Telegram have a 24-hour window?
No. A Telegram bot can message anyone who has previously started it, at any time, with no window and no template approval.
Why was my WhatsApp template rejected?
Most often the category was wrong for what the message does — a promotion submitted as Utility, usually. Rewording the same text will not fix a category problem.
What is the difference between Marketing and Utility templates?
Utility relates to a transaction that already exists: order updates, reminders, alerts. Marketing is anything promotional. They are priced differently, which is why miscategorising is tempting and why it is checked.
Do I need opt-in to send a WhatsApp template?
Yes, and it has to be specific enough that the recipient would recognise agreeing to it. Sending to a list without it lowers your number's quality rating, which cuts your sending limits.
How long does WhatsApp template approval take?
Usually minutes, though it can take longer under review load. A template stuck for a long time is more often a category problem than a queue.