WhatsApp broadcast messages explained
A broadcast sends the same message to many people at once. On WhatsApp it is also one of the quickest ways to get a number restricted, if it is done the wrong way. Here is how broadcasts work, which route is allowed for what, and why Spaces is built for conversations instead.
Two ways to broadcast
- Broadcast lists in the WhatsApp Business app: one message sent to a list of your contacts, each receiving it as a private chat. Only people who saved your number receive it.
- Template messages on the WhatsApp Business Platform: approved templates sent through a provider to people who opted in, with a fee per message from Meta.
Why bulk messaging gets numbers banned
WhatsApp's Terms of Service prohibit bulk messaging and auto-messaging on regular accounts unless WhatsApp has authorised it. Numbers that send the same message to many people, especially people who never wrote to them, get reported and blocked, and WhatsApp restricts them. The rules are quoted in our article on whether WhatsApp automation is allowed.
Why Spaces does not broadcast
Spaces connects your own number so an AI agent can hold conversations, mostly with people who message you first. It refuses the same cold message sent to many people, limits new chats to a handful a day, and stops messaging anyone who says stop. If you need to send promotions to thousands of opted-in customers, the WhatsApp Business Platform is the right tool for that job.
Who you message
Pricing
FAQ
Who receives a WhatsApp Business app broadcast?
Only contacts on the list who have saved your number in their phone.
Can I send WhatsApp promotions with Spaces?
No. Spaces is for conversations, and it refuses the same cold message sent to many people.
What should I use for large WhatsApp campaigns?
The WhatsApp Business Platform, through a provider, with approved templates and opted-in contacts.