Distinguish your business and be more recognizable to your customers with your display name and a blue tick instead of a phone number when you message customers with a WhatsApp Official Business Account.
Learn more about WhatsApp Official Business Account.
Before you begin
Meet all of the following requirements before applying for a WhatsApp Official Business Account (OBA):
WhatsApp API account — A WhatsApp API account is required. Sign up for a WhatsApp Business Platform account if you do not have one.
Business registered for at least 30 days — Your business must be registered on the WhatsApp Business Platform for at least 30 days before applying.
Business verification complete — Ensure your business is verified. Learn how to verify your business on Meta.
Display name approved — If you recently changed your display name, check the approval status in your WhatsApp Manager and confirm the status is approved.
Two-step verification enabled — Two-step verification is enabled by default when you connect your WhatsApp API account to respond.io.
Notable business — Your business must meet Meta’s notability requirements. To be considered notable, your brand name must appear in five articles from publications with sizable audiences, and those articles must not be paid promotions. Learn more about business notability.
Before submitting a request, ensure your messaging limit has been increased to 2,000. You can check your current messaging limits in your WhatsApp Accounts > Settings tab > WhatsApp Manager > Account tools > Phone Numbers. Learn more about WhatsApp messaging limits.
Applying for a WhatsApp Official Business Account
Watch the video below for a step-by-step guide on applying for a WhatsApp Official Business Account.
Open Meta Business Suite > select your business account > Settings.
Navigate to More Business Settings > select your WhatsApp account > Settings tab > WhatsApp Manager.
Select the phone number you want to verify for the blue tick under WhatsApp Accounts.
To enable two-step verification at this stage, navigate to the Two-step verification tab.
Go to Profile > fill in the details > click Submit request.
Complete the pop-up form — fill in the required information and add supporting links that demonstrate your business is notable > click Submit.
When providing the reason for requesting the blue tick, include a brief explanation of your company and its position in the market to support your application.
Once your submission is complete, Meta will notify you of the outcome. If the application is unsuccessful, resubmit after 30 days.
How long does Meta take to review an application?
Meta does not publish a fixed review timeline. Reviews typically take a few days to several weeks depending on the volume of applications and the completeness of your submission. Monitor your WhatsApp Manager for status updates.
What if my application is rejected?
If Meta rejects your application, resubmit after 30 days. Before resubmitting, review whether your business meets the notability requirements — your brand name must appear in at least five editorial articles from publications with sizable audiences. Paid promotions do not count. Strengthening your media presence before reapplying improves your chances.
What is business notability?
Business notability is Meta's measure of whether your brand is well-known and widely covered in the press. To qualify, your brand name must be mentioned in five or more articles from reputable, high-circulation publications. Sponsored content and press releases do not count toward this requirement.
Can I reapply after a rejection?
Yes. Wait 30 days after a rejection before submitting a new application. Use the waiting period to build additional media coverage or address any gaps in your business profile.
