Want to get the coveted WhatsApp green tick (now known as the blue tick)? This article covers everything you need to know about how to verify WhatsApp Business Account. We’ll start by going over what a WhatsApp green tick is, along with its benefits for businesses. Then, leveraging our firsthand experience and insights gained from serving numerous customers, we’ll go over how to become an Official Business Account and some best practices you can apply.
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What is a WhatsApp Green Tick? (or WhatsApp Verified Badge)
WhatsApp green tick is a badge designed to help WhatsApp Business distinguish between an authentic brand account and a fake account. It indicates that the business account is verified by WhatsApp and that it belongs to the brand it claims to be.
This badge is especially important for popular brands susceptible to getting their account impersonated. WhatsApp is very particular about which businesses get this badge to protect users from spam and fake accounts.
For clarification, Meta has recently changed the verified icon color from green to blue. If you see terms like "WhatsApp blue checkmark" or "blue tick," they refer to the WhatsApp verified icon. To avoid confusion, we will continue referring to it as the "green tick" throughout this blog.
Regular WhatsApp Business Account vs Verified WhatsApp Business Account
By default, all WhatsApp accounts using the Business App and API are WhatsApp Business accounts. Only businesses that use WhatsApp API, also known as WhatsApp Business Platform, can apply for a green tick.
Once the Business account is verified and gets the green tick, it will be an Official Business Account. In summary, a WhatsApp official account is a WhatsApp API account that has been verified. While getting the green tick doesn’t come with any extra features, there are many other benefits to it.
Benefits of a WhatsApp Green Tick
There are 3 benefits of WhatsApp Green Tick we’ll cover in this section: Proof of authenticity, more credibility and higher brand recognition.
Proof of Authenticity
Having a WhatsApp Official Business Account with the green tick serves as proof of authenticity. It indicates that your business is verified by WhatsApp and recognized as notable. This helps customers trust that they are engaging with the actual business, not an imposter.
More Credibility
The green tick also adds a layer of credibility to your business. Customers see that your brand is established and reliable enough to earn the green tick. As a result, they are more likely to engage with WhatsApp broadcast messages and less likely to report or block your business. The green tick sets you apart from competitors who lack verification, giving you a credibility boost.
Higher Brand Recognition
With a WhatsApp Official Business Account, your business name will appear in chat headers, chat lists, and business profiles—without requiring users to save your phone number. This ensures higher brand recognition and makes it clear to customers that they are interacting with the right business. The visibility and notability of the green tick help your brand stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Plus, WhatsApp users don’t have to save your phone number to see your business name. This makes Official Business Accounts stand out from regular business accounts and lets customers know they are reaching the right business account.
So, is there any downside to verifying your WhatsApp Business account?
Downsides of WhatsApp Green Tick
Some businesses may consider the fact that you do not obtain additional features with your verified badge a downside.
<call-out> Meta is planning to revise the process for obtaining a verified green tick on WhatsApp. Soon, businesses will have the option to subscribe to a monthly business plan that grants the WhatsApp green tick alongside verified badges for Instagram and Facebook. These subscriptions will also come with additional features. <call-out>
Also, if you take on this journey alone, applying for a WhatsApp verified badge can be stringent and there is certainly a possibility of rejection. For this reason, you have to be familiar with the four requirements for getting the WhatsApp Green Tick.
4 Requirements for Getting the WhatsApp Green Tick
Now that you understand the basics of getting a green tick, let’s look at the requirements to get one. Besides having to abide by WhatsApp’s Business and Commerce Policies, you’ll need to ensure the following points.
1. Your account is a WhatsApp API Account
To qualify for the green tick, your business must be using a WhatsApp API account, which allows for more advanced features and is typically used by larger or more established businesses. This is a prerequisite for becoming an Official Business Account.
2. You have verified your business on Meta Business Manager
Your business needs to be verified through Meta Business Manager. This process involves submitting your business documentation to Meta for approval, ensuring that your brand is legitimate and ready for the next steps in obtaining the green tick.
3. You have enabled 2-step verification
To further secure your account, you should enable 2-step verification. This adds an extra layer of protection, making it harder for unauthorized users to gain access to your WhatsApp Business account.
4. You are a notable business
Meta defines a notable business as one that is well-known and frequently searched. To prove this, businesses are encouraged to submit 3-5 media coverage links from reputable news articles or magazines. These links should feature your business and must match the business name used on WhatsApp and in Meta Business Suite. Note that Meta does not accept paid or promotional content as valid sources for review.
To further increase your chances, it’s recommended to have a Google Business Profile to enhance your online presence, as Meta checks for brand mentions through Google searches. Additionally, having a substantial number of Facebook followers can also demonstrate the relevance and notability of your business.
While meeting all the requirements sounds simple, there's no guarantee that your WhatsApp Business account will get verified. That said, your chances are way higher if you follow a reliable guide like this one.
Apply for WhatsApp Green Tick through Meta Business Manager
Any businesses using WhatsApp Business API or WhatsApp Cloud API can verify their WhatsApp Business account by themselves. Follow the steps below to start.
1. Select Phone Number
Go to WhatsApp Manager and select the phone number you want to request for an Official Business Account under the Overview section.
2. Turn on 2-Step Verification
Turn on 2-step verification for this phone number to apply for an Official Business Account if you haven’t enabled it before applying for the green tick.
3. Submit Request
3. Fill in your business details and click on the Submit Request button. Note that the Submit Request button will be grayed out if your business does not meet Meta’s green tick requirements.
4. Provide the required information
You have to provide information like the reason for requesting a green tick and up to 5 supporting links to show that the business is notable.
When providing the reason for requesting the green tick, include a brief explanation of your company and its position in the market to justify your green tick application. Once you’ve provided all the required information, click Submit.
That’s all you have to do if you apply through your WhatsApp Manager. Meta will review your application and provide an update within three business days. Once the review is complete, you’ll receive a notification through the verification method you selected.
Let’s now look at how to apply through your WhatsApp BSP.
Apply for WhatsApp Green Tick through WhatsApp Business Account (BSP)
If you’re currently using WhatsApp Business API or On-premises API, you can get help with the application from your BSPs. However, BSPs usually charge businesses for this.
The WhatsApp Business verification process will differ depending on which WhatsApp Partner you sign up with, so it’s best if you contact your BSP directly to get details of the application process and application fees.
Regardless, we’ve researched and compiled the most common things you need to do and prepare before getting help from your BSP. Here’s what you need:
- Screenshot showing your verified Meta Business Manager status
- Business website address
- Facebook Page URL
- Business name in languages other than English (if any)
- Facebook ID
- WhatsApp phone number
Depending on your BSP, they’ll either apply for an Official Business Account on your behalf or guide you on how to do it yourself via their respective dashboards.
WhatsApp Green Tick Verification: Timelines
Key stages in the WhatsApp Green Tick application include document preparation and submission (2–3 days), Meta’s review (5–7 days), profile setup with two-step verification (1–2 days), and final approval or rejection notification (1–3 days).
These are just estimated timelines, and every business experiences different waiting times. Typically, the WhatsApp Green Tick verification process through a WhatsApp BSP takes 7 days to 3 weeks.
3 Tips to Get Your WhatsApp Green Tick Approved
Next, we will share 3 tips to ensure success when applying for a green tick.
1. Reapply for Green Tick After 30 Days
If you apply for a green tick on your own, you will typically receive a response within 2-4 business days. However, if your application is rejected, you can reapply after 30 days. Meta encourages businesses to build their presence in news articles and online content before reapplying to increase their chances of approval.
It’s important to note that having a verified Facebook Page or Instagram profile does not automatically guarantee verification on WhatsApp, so use the 30-day waiting period to strengthen your brand's visibility.
2. Use WhatsApp Widget and WhatsApp Link to Help Customers Find You Easily
If your goal is to help customers easily identify your authentic WhatsApp account, there are other methods beyond the green tick to associate your WhatsApp with your business. You can add a WhatsApp widget to your website, making it simple for customers to reach out.
Additionally, placing a WhatsApp link on your Instagram profile and Facebook Page can direct users to your verified business account, ensuring that customers connect with the correct WhatsApp number and boosting trust in your communications.
3. Connect WhatsApp API to respond.io
If you’re currently using the WhatsApp Business App and would like to upgrade to WhatsApp API to apply for the green tick, get the WhatsApp API from respond.io. Respond.io is a BSP that provides an AI-powered customer conversation management software for all your messaging needs.
This means you can get instant API access, fully manage your WhatsApp API accounts, use WhatsApp Business with multiple users and send WhatsApp bulk messages. You can even connect your WhatsApp CRM to conduct marketing, sales, support and more from one platform.
Best of all, respond.io is a badged Meta Business Partner, vetted and recognized by Meta for its expertise. Now that we’ve shown you everything you need to know, we hope you can apply and get the green tick in no time!
Additional Practices for a Succesful Verification
As mentioned earlier in this blog, only notable businesses are granted a WhatsApp Green Tick. Once you complete the steps above, follow these two tips to build business notability.
- Boost press coverage by highlighting unique business milestones.
- Improve your social media presence.
3 Common Rejection Scenarios and Solutions
1. Incorrect or Incomplete Documentation
Avoid submitting outdated business registration documents, mismatched information, or missing required proofs (e.g., no tax identification number or certificate of incorporation).
Solution: Double-check all submitted documents for accuracy and ensure they meet WhatsApp’s requirements. Collaborate with your BSP to verify completeness before submission. Using an official document checklist from Meta can minimize errors.
2. Inconsistencies in Brand Information
Beware of mismatched names, logos or details between your business profile, website and Meta Business Manager account.
Solution: Align branding across all platforms. Ensure the business name, logo, and contact details on Meta and WhatsApp are identical to your public-facing materials (e.g., website or social media). This builds trust and avoids rejection.
3. Lack of Notability or Public Presence
Meta rejects businesses that lack public recognition or press coverage, deeming them insufficiently notable for a green tick.
Solution: Build notability through consistent branding, active social media engagement and securing media mentions. Highlight awards, partnerships or testimonials to reinforce credibility. If rejected, strengthen your online presence and reapply after 30 days.
By addressing these common issues proactively, businesses can significantly improve their chances of securing WhatsApp Green Tick verification.
What to Do if Your Application Gets Rejected?
If your WhatsApp Green Tick application gets rejected, do not give up. Here is how you can fix this in three steps.
1. Address the Reason for Rejection
Meta always provides a reason for rejection. It could be that your business doesn’t qualify as notable, or perhaps it doesn’t comply with the Meta Business Commerce Policy. The first step is to identify this reason and plan for a solution before reapplying.
2. Reapply After 30 Days
You can start a new application 30 days after your initial one was denied once the problem is resolved.
3. Contact the Respond.io Customer Support Team
As WhatsApp experts, we help businesses get their WhatsApp verification approved quickly and effectively. If you are already a respond.io user, don’t hesitate to reach out to the respond.io support team to verify your WhatsApp account the easy way.
Get WhatsApp Green Tick Guidance for Free on Respond.io
As a Meta Partner, respond.io is uniquely positioned to help you secure your WhatsApp green tick. With direct access to Meta’s customer support, no one is more qualified than us to guide you through the green tick verification process.
Unlike other BSPs that offer limited support, we provide dedicated assistance for your WhatsApp Green Tick verification from start to finish.
Businesses That Can’t Get the Green Tick on WhatsApp
The Meta Business Commerce policy determines what businesses can buy or sell on the platform. It is likely that if your business belongs to one of Meta’s forbidden categories, you’ll get your WhatsApp Green Tick application rejected.
Here are some of the prohibited commerce activities on WhatsApp:
- Gambling
- Medical and healthcare products
- Prescription products, drugs and drug paraphernalia
- Subscriptions and digital products
- Tobacco products and related paraphernalia
<call-out> Certain entities, such as individual influencers, freelancers, and small or local businesses without significant public recognition, often assume eligibility for WhatsApp Green Tick but fail due to WhatsApp's requirements for formal business registration and notability. <call-out>
To know all of them, consult the Meta Business Commerce Policy.
Is WhatsApp Green Tick Verification Worth It for Your Business?
The WhatsApp Green Tick enhances business credibility by confirming authenticity and safety, leading to better user engagement and fewer negative reactions, like blocks. It's exclusive to WhatsApp API accounts, replaces the phone number with the brand name, and is free but difficult to obtain.
However, it doesn't add features or advantages to your WhatsApp Business API account. Both verified and unverified accounts offer the same functionality, such as broadcasting messages and using the API normally.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a green tick?
It generally takes 1-2 business days. However, it might take a week in some cases.
Do I need to pay for WhatsApp Green Tick verification?
WhatsApp doesn't charge any fee for Green Tick verification.
Can small businesses get a green tick?
Any business using the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) can get a green tick as long as it complies with the WhatsApp and Meta policies.
Can I transfer the green tick to another account?
No, the green tick badge is non-transferable.
How can I maintain my green tick status?
- Ensure consistent messaging across platforms to establish trust and credibility.
- Maintain timely and responsive communication.
- Handle customer grievances and offer reliable support to your customers.
What should I do if my green tick is revoked?
If your WhatsApp Green Tick is revoked, identify the cause (e.g., policy violations or diminished notability) and address it promptly. Consult your BSP for guidance, make necessary corrections and reapply through Meta Business Manager to restore verification.
Is a green tick visible across all devices and versions of WhatsApp?
Yes, the WhatsApp Green Tick verification is visible across all devices and versions of WhatsApp, whether on mobile (Android and iOS), desktop, or web.
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Further Reading
If you're interested in more information about WhatsApp for Business, check out these articles:
- WhatsApp Auto Reply in 4 Easy Steps: Full Guide (+18 Samples)
- How to use WhatsApp Business Multiple Users
- How to Schedule WhatsApp Messages: Easy Step-by-Step Guide
