How do I create a template and get it approved?
Write it in Templates, submit it, and Meta reviews it in minutes to a day.
To message someone who hasn't written to you in the last 24 hours, WhatsApp needs a template: a message Meta has approved in advance.
Start from a ready-made one
On Templates, press Browse the library (1) or New template (2).
In the library, the templates are written to Meta's rules so they usually pass first time. Pick one, press Use this, change the wording, and submit.
Or write your own
- Press New template.
- Give it a name (small letters and underscores, like
welcome_offer). - Choose a category:
| Category | Use it for |
|---|---|
| Marketing | Offers, promotions, news |
| Utility | Updates about something the customer already did: an order, an invoice, an appointment |
| Authentication | One-time login codes |
- Write the message.
{{1}},{{2}}are blanks filled in for each person; give an example value for each. - Add a header, a footer or buttons if you want. The preview on the right shows it on a phone.
- Press Submit for approval, or Save as draft to finish later. Drafts are never sent to Meta.
What the statuses mean
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Waiting on Meta | Meta is reviewing it, usually minutes, sometimes a day |
| Approved | Ready to use |
| Needs a fix | Meta rejected it. Open it to see why |
| Paused by Meta | Too many people blocked or reported it |
| Disabled by Meta | Switched off for good |
Picking the wrong category is the most common reason for a rejection. If it isn't about something the customer already did, it is Marketing.