WhatsApp group chats
Your business number can own real WhatsApp groups: a room with a client, a course group or a team chat. Group messages land in your inbox like any other chat.
#Before you start
- The number must run as Cloud API only. Numbers kept in the WhatsApp Business app cannot use groups. See Set up WhatsApp.
- Meta must mark the number as an official business account. Open the number's Settings from the WhatsApp page and check Official business account under Number status.
#Do it in the dashboard
- Open WhatsApp, then Groups, and choose New group.
- Type a Name and, if you like, a Description.
- Decide on Approve people who use the invite link. Off lets them straight in. On makes them wait for you.
- Choose Create group.
- Copy the Invite link and share it. You can also add numbers yourself with Add people.
- If approval is on, open the group to see who is waiting. Let them in, or choose Reject.
#Talk in the group
The group shows up in your Inbox once someone sends the first message in it. You cannot open the chat yourself first. So when you share the link, ask people to say hello.
After that, you reply like in any chat. Everyone in the group sees your message.
#Or ask your AI
Create a WhatsApp group called Wholesale partners. People must wait for my approval to join. Give me the invite link.
#Good to know
- 8 people per group, in total. This is Meta's limit, and it counts everyone in the group. Adding people in several rounds does not get past it.
- Groups are not mailing lists. To send the same message to many people one by one, use a broadcast.
- A number can own up to 10,000 groups.
- Creating a new invite link turns off the old one right away.
- Delete group removes it from WhatsApp for every person in it. This cannot be undone.
- Group messages reach your workflows like any other message.
- Group messages count toward your monthly messages like any other. There is no extra fee for groups.
Building with the API? The developer guide for this feature.