WhatsApp Template Submission Guide
📋 Complete Guide: This page explains how to create and submit WhatsApp message templates for Meta approval. Templates are required for all outbound WhatsApp Business messages.
🎯 Template Submission Methods
1
Meta Business Manager (Recommended)
Best for: Most users, easy interface, visual template builder
- Go to Meta Business Manager
- Navigate to WhatsApp Business Platform
- Select your WhatsApp Business Account
- Go to Message Templates section
- Click Create Template
- Fill in all required fields
- Submit for review
2
WhatsApp Manager
Best for: Direct WhatsApp Business management
- Go to WhatsApp Manager
- Select your WhatsApp Business Account
- Navigate to Templates
- Click Create Template
- Design your template
- Submit for approval
3
Graph API (Advanced)
Best for: Developers, programmatic template creation
POST /v22.0/{business_account_id}/message_templates
{
"name": "welcome_message",
"category": "UTILITY",
"language": "en_US",
"components": [
{
"type": "BODY",
"text": "Welcome to {{1}}! Your order {{2}} is confirmed."
}
]
}
📝 Template Components
📋
Required Fields
- Name: Unique identifier (lowercase, underscores only)
- Category: UTILITY, MARKETING, or AUTHENTICATION
- Language: Language code (e.g., en_US, en_GB, es_ES)
- Body: Main message content
➕
Optional Fields
- Header: Optional header text or media
- Footer: Optional footer text
- Buttons: Call-to-action buttons
- Parameters: Dynamic content placeholders ({{1}}, {{2}}, etc.)
🏷️ Template Categories
UTILITY Templates
Purpose: Transactional messages, confirmations, updates, notifications
Examples: Order confirmations, appointment reminders, password resets, delivery updates
Approval Time: 24-48 hours (fastest)
Usage: Unlimited once approved
Name: order_confirmation
Category: UTILITY
Body: "Your order {{1}} has been confirmed and will be delivered on {{2}}. Track your order: {{3}}"
MARKETING Templates
Purpose: Promotional content, offers, announcements, newsletters
Examples: Sales promotions, product launches, seasonal offers, company updates
Approval Time: 3-7 days (longest)
Usage: Limited by WhatsApp policies
Name: summer_sale_announcement
Category: MARKETING
Body: "🌞 Summer Sale Alert! Get {{1}}% off on all items. Use code {{2}} at checkout. Valid until {{3}}"
AUTHENTICATION Templates
Purpose: Security-related messages, verification codes, login alerts
Examples: OTP codes, login verification, security alerts, account recovery
Approval Time: 12-24 hours (very fast)
Usage: High volume allowed
Name: login_verification_code
Category: AUTHENTICATION
Body: "Your login verification code is {{1}}. This code expires in {{2}} minutes. Do not share this code with anyone."
⏱️ Approval Process
Approval Timeline
- AUTHENTICATION: 12-24 hours (fastest)
- UTILITY: 24-48 hours (recommended for most use cases)
- MARKETING: 3-7 days (longest review)
Note: Approval times may vary based on Meta's review queue and template complexity.
📤
Submission Process
- Create: Design your template with proper formatting
- Review: Check all fields and content quality
- Submit: Send to Meta for review
- Wait: Monitor approval status
- Receive: Get approval/rejection notification
- Use: Start sending messages once approved
✅ Approval Criteria
What Meta Looks For:
- Content Quality: Professional, clear, and business-appropriate messaging
- Compliance: Follows WhatsApp Business policies and guidelines
- Formatting: Proper template structure and syntax
- Business Context: Relevant to your business and industry
- User Experience: Provides value to recipients
❌ Common Rejection Reasons
Why Templates Get Rejected:
- Spam-like Content: Too promotional, repetitive, or low-quality
- Poor Formatting: Incorrect template structure or syntax errors
- Policy Violations: Content against WhatsApp Business policies
- Missing Information: Incomplete template details or required fields
- Unclear Purpose: Vague or confusing message content
- Inappropriate Language: Unprofessional or offensive content
- Misleading Claims: False or exaggerated statements
💡 Best Practices
🎯
Template Design Tips
- Keep it Simple: Clear, concise messaging
- Use Parameters: {{1}}, {{2}}, {{3}} for dynamic content
- Professional Tone: Business-appropriate language
- Clear Purpose: Obvious value to recipient
- Proper Formatting: Correct template structure
- Test First: Review content before submission
⚡
Faster Approval Tips
- Choose UTILITY: Fastest approval category
- Simple Content: Avoid complex formatting
- Clear Purpose: Obvious business use case
- Professional Language: Business-appropriate tone
- Complete Information: Fill all required fields
- Follow Guidelines: Adhere to WhatsApp policies
🔗 Useful Links
Meta Resources:
Your Account:
⚠️ Important: Always submit templates through official Meta platforms. This guide helps you understand the process, but actual submission must be done through Meta Business Manager or WhatsApp Manager.