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For newsletter-style updates on WhatsApp, create a WhatsApp Channel: people follow the feed, and you publish updates for followers to see. For targeted offers or announcements sent directly to selected customers, use WhatsApp Business marketing messages where available. Either way, get clear opt-in permission before sending proactive business messages, explain what subscribers will receive, and make it easy to opt out.

Choose the right WhatsApp newsletter format

WhatsApp does not treat every newsletter-style message the same way. A Channel is a follower-based, one-way feed; marketing messages are paid direct messages for an audience selected from business contacts. The Business Platform is a separate messaging route with template rules for business-initiated conversations.

Option Audience Interaction and formats Cost and availability
WhatsApp Channel People follow a public-facing update feed. Text, images, video, stickers, links, audio and polls. Followers can react and vote in polls but cannot reply directly to an update. Updates are visible to followers and visitors. No payment detail is stated in WhatsApp’s cited Channel guidance. Channels and some features are still rolling out and may not be available to every account or region.
WhatsApp Business marketing messages The business selects recipients from its contacts and broadcast lists. Text and media with action buttons such as tap to reply, website, phone call or catalog. Each marketing message currently requires at least a photo; recipients can respond using available actions. Paid: the sender reviews the selected audience and estimated price before sending, and is charged for successfully delivered messages. Available only in limited countries and not necessarily to every business.
WhatsApp Business Platform Business-initiated messages go to customers through Platform messaging workflows. Approved templates are required to initiate conversations. A business can reply without a template within 24 hours of the user’s last message; after that, an approved template is required for outbound messages. Pricing and account availability are not stated in the cited policy guidance. These template rules are distinct from Channel publishing.

WhatsApp calls the marketing-message feature “business broadcasts” in some countries, so the label in your app may differ. The distinctions and availability above reflect WhatsApp’s official guidance accessed October 4, 2026: WhatsApp Help Center and WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy.

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Get permission before sending business messages

WhatsApp Business policy says a business may contact someone only if it has the person’s mobile number and has received opt-in permission confirming they want subsequent WhatsApp messages. The opt-in must say the person is agreeing to receive messages over WhatsApp and clearly name the business. Having a customer’s phone number alone is not permission.

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Make the choice understandable at the point of signup. State the business name, that messages will come through WhatsApp, and the kinds of updates subscribers can expect. For example: “Subscribe to Acme Garden’s WhatsApp updates for monthly planting tips and occasional product announcements.” Use separate choices for materially different categories when that gives subscribers better control, such as service alerts versus promotions.

Set expectations about cadence if you can do so accurately. Do not imply a fixed schedule unless you intend to follow it, and do not quietly turn a signup for one kind of update into consent for unrelated promotions. WhatsApp’s policy recommends clear opt-in and honoring requests to stop or opt out; its guidance also points to category-specific opt-ins as a way to reduce unwanted messages and blocking.

Create a WhatsApp Channel

A Channel is the closest fit when you want a newsletter-like feed that people choose to follow rather than a direct message sent to a selected list. Channel updates are not private messages: followers and visitors can see them. Followers are not visible to other viewers, but admins may see a follower’s profile name and, depending on the follower’s privacy settings and whether the admin is a contact, additional profile details or interactions.

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  1. Open Channels. In WhatsApp, go to the Channels area and choose Create channel. The exact placement can vary as features roll out.
  2. Name the Channel. Add a name that identifies your business or publication. Add a description and icon if useful, then create the Channel.
  3. Share the follow link or QR code. Invite people through chats, Status or other apps. Make it clear what updates they will receive before they follow.
  4. Publish an update. Choose a supported format—text, image, video, sticker, link, audio or poll—and keep the information relevant to the people who chose to follow.
  5. Review available insights. WhatsApp describes Channel insights such as reach, follower changes, regions, reactions and poll results. The available controls can vary by account.

WhatsApp says a Channel can have up to 16 additional admins. Channel creation and some features are still rolling out, so the controls may not appear for every account or region. See WhatsApp’s instructions for creating a Channel and its Channel overview.

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Send a WhatsApp Business marketing message

Choose this route when you need to send a direct update to selected customers and the feature is available to your business. Unlike a Channel post, a marketing message is paid and requires a recipient selection and pricing review.

  1. Open Marketing messages in the WhatsApp Business app.
  2. Add the message content. The current creation guide requires at least one photo for every marketing message. Add the accompanying text and, if useful, an action button such as tap to reply, website, phone call or catalog.
  3. Select the audience. Choose the intended recipients from the contacts and broadcast-list options shown in the app. Check that the people included gave permission for this category of WhatsApp message.
  4. Review the price and delivery details. WhatsApp shows the selected audience and estimated price before sending. The guide says businesses pay for successfully delivered messages.
  5. Send or schedule. Meta reviews marketing messages before they are sent. If scheduling, the device needs an internet connection at the scheduled send time.

The feature is available only in limited countries and may not be offered to every business. Check the current app for access and the exact price before committing to a send. WhatsApp’s current instructions are in How to create and send a marketing message.

Use the Business Platform only when its rules fit

The WhatsApp Business Platform is a separate option from Channels and the Business app’s marketing-message feature. Under WhatsApp Business policy, businesses may initiate conversations only with approved message templates. Once a user messages the business, replies without a template are allowed within 24 hours of that user’s last message. After that window, outbound messages require an approved template.

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Do not treat a Channel post as a Platform message or assume that publishing in a Channel uses the Platform’s template rules. If you are building a direct-messaging workflow with Platform access, plan the message templates and the customer-service reply window as part of that workflow. See the WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy.

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Write updates people can scan and trust

  • Put the useful point first. Lead with the announcement, offer, deadline or practical tip rather than a long preamble.
  • Keep each update focused. A single clear subject makes a message easier to understand, especially in a direct message.
  • Match format to purpose. Use a Channel poll when you want lightweight audience feedback; use a marketing-message action button when you want a recipient to visit a site, call, open a catalog or reply.
  • Make promotions unsurprising. Send material that matches the categories subscribers agreed to receive. A signup for product updates should not become a stream of unrelated offers.
  • Use media purposefully. Channel posts support text, images, video, stickers, links, audio and polls. Marketing messages support media and text, but currently require a photo.
  • Identify the business. Make it clear who is speaking, especially when an update may be forwarded or viewed outside the immediate context of signup.
  • Honor stop requests promptly. Provide a clear, intuitive way to stop all updates or selected categories where applicable, and act on requests to block, stop or opt out.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Sending to everyone whose number you have. A phone number is not a WhatsApp opt-in; permission must confirm the person wants subsequent messages from your named business on WhatsApp.
  • Calling a Channel private. Channel updates are visible to followers and visitors. The fact that followers are not visible to other viewers does not make posts private.
  • Mixing up the three formats. Channels are follower feeds; marketing messages are paid, selected-recipient direct messages; Platform messaging uses approved templates for business-initiated conversations.
  • Ignoring the marketing-message requirements. Check that the feature is available, include the required photo, review the recipients and price, and account for Meta’s review and any scheduled-send connection requirement.
  • Making opt-out difficult. A confusing or ignored stop request undermines consent and can expose the business to more blocks and unwanted messages.

How to choose between a Channel and a business broadcast

Use a Channel when you want people to follow a continuing update feed and are comfortable with public-facing posts, reactions and polls rather than direct replies. Choose marketing messages when you need to select recipients and send a direct, action-oriented message, and your account and country support the paid feature. Consider the Business Platform when you need a managed direct-messaging workflow and can meet its template requirements and 24-hour reply-window rules.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I send a WhatsApp newsletter?

For a follower-based newsletter feed, create a WhatsApp Channel, share its follow link or QR code, and publish updates there. For selected-customer direct messages, use WhatsApp Business marketing messages where the feature is available; they are paid and require a photo.

Do I need consent to send WhatsApp messages?

Yes. WhatsApp Business policy requires the recipient’s phone number and opt-in permission confirming that they want subsequent WhatsApp messages. The opt-in must identify WhatsApp and clearly name your business.

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Should I use a WhatsApp Channel or a business broadcast?

Use a Channel for a one-way follower feed with reactions and polls. Use marketing messages (called business broadcasts in some countries) to send paid direct messages to selected contacts, with action buttons and an estimated price shown before sending.

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Can followers reply to a WhatsApp Channel update?

They cannot reply directly to an update. They can react and participate in polls.

Are WhatsApp Channel updates private?

No. Updates are visible to followers and visitors. Other viewers do not see the follower list, although Channel admins may see a follower’s profile name and, depending on settings and contact status, additional details or interactions.

Can every business send WhatsApp marketing messages?

No. WhatsApp says the paid feature is available only in limited countries and may not be available to every business. Check the WhatsApp Business app for current access.

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