(1)Service message--User-initiated sessions

(2)Marketing message-- Session opened by a message template of type Marketing.

(3)Notification session (Utility message)-- Sessions opened by message templates of type Utility.

(4)Authentication session (Authentication message)-- A session opened by a message template of type Authentication.

What are the message templates for different types of sessions? How to utilize these message templates?

01 What is a WhatsApp Message Template (Template)?

WhatsApp message templates, also known as Highly Structured Messages (HSM), are predefined messages. You can set different template contents and replace them with dynamic variable data as per your requirement.

For example, a WhatsApp message template content is shown below:

Here. {{1}} respond in singing {{2}} It is the position of the variable that is reserved, and you can replace it dynamically according to the corresponding information.

When this template is used to send a message to someone named Judy Y with order number #112288, it will look like this:

To maintain quality and avoid spam, WhatsApp reviews and approves every message template you send within 48 hours. Once your template is approved, you can use it to communicate with your customers.

02 Why use WhatsApp templates?

WhatsApp has introduced a rule that if a user initiates a chat with you, you can continue the customized messaging conversation via WhatsApp an unlimited number of times during the 24-hour window in which the person sends you a message, andCharge to one serviced session only.

But outside of the 24-hour window, if one wants to continue to reach out to the other party.You can then only use the template messageSend a message and WhatsApp will then charge you a corresponding fee based on the type of message you send.

So, basically.Message templates are the only way you can re-engage with your customers outside of a 24-hour window. If you want to send a WhatsApp Marketing Broadcast message to all subscribers, you must use a template message.

03 WhatsApp includes which template types?

Starting June 1, 2023, WhatsApp allows businesses to create Notification templates (Utility templates), Authentication templates, and Marketing templates.

When you create a template, Meta reviews and determines the type of template based on its content.

If the submitted template content does not match the selected type, you will see a warning in the WhatsApp Manager:

Authentication templates

Authentication templates enable organizations to authenticate users using one-time passwords (i.e., OTPs, which are typically 4-8 digit alphanumeric codes), potentially at multiple steps in the login process (e.g., account verification, account retrieval, etc.).

Validation templates are the most demanding of the three. To use a validation template, an organization must:

Notification templates (Utility templates)

The notification template is used in connection with a specific transaction that has been entered into to accomplish one of the following: confirm, discontinue or change a transaction or subscription.

⚠️ Note:For any template that mixes transaction-related and marketing content will Meta be categorized as a marketing template.

Marketing templates

⚠️ Note:Any template that mixes notification content and marketing content will be categorized as a marketing template.

⚠️Note: The above examples are for illustrative purposes only. The actual situation is subject to Meta audit.

04 Media Examples of Message Templates 

Text Templates

Text templates are simple message templates that contain text messages. Allows you to insert personalized variable content into the message, such as the user's name or order number.

Picture Templates

Picture templates allow you to send messages with picture attachments. You can include text and dynamic parameters in the template and add picture attachments to the message. Picture templates are typically used to send product images, event posters, etc.

Video Templates

Video templates allow you to send messages with video attachments. Similar to image templates, you can include text and dynamic parameters in the template and attach video files. Video templates can be used to send product demos, event promotional videos, and more.

document template

Document templates are used to send various types of document files such as PDFs, Word documents, etc. You can include text and dynamic parameters in the template and attach the desired document file.

Interactive Text Templates

Interactive text templates allow you to create interactive conversations with multiple response options. You can set up question and answer options in the template and users can interact with your business by selecting one of the options.

Interactive Media Templates

05 Tip: How to recall users outside the 24-hour window

As mentioned earlier, after 24 hours without any communication with your customers, you can only re-engage with them using template messages instead of free messages.

We can use the interactive templates mentioned above or utilize WhatsApp's own message liking to get feedback from the user with minimal action on their part. Here are two examples:

According to Meta's policy, you can only use the full messaging template functionality if you have access to the WhatsApp Business API. Therefore, you need to work with a WhatsApp Business Solution Provider (BSP) to gain access to the WhatsApp Business API.

YCloud, as one of the first BSPs in Meta Greater China, not only provides you with access to the service, but also has more built-in features for you to choose from, including: