A WhatsApp message limit is the number of Members you can start new WhatsApp conversations with in a rolling 24-hour period. New numbers start at a lower limit, and the limit scales up automatically as you send.
To see your limit, go to Checking your limit. For how WhatsApp works in Community, see WhatsApp in Community.
Who this applies to: Leaders who have connected WhatsApp to Community. To connect, see Connecting WhatsApp. For eligibility, see WhatsApp in Community.
What is a WhatsApp message limit?
A WhatsApp message limit is the maximum number of business-initiated conversations you can start from each of your WhatsApp phone numbers in a rolling 24-hour period.
A business-initiated conversation starts when the first template message reaches a Member and ends 24 hours later. Each one counts toward your limit.
Which limit applies depends on your phone number's status:
| Phone number | Limit in a rolling 24-hour period |
|---|---|
| Not connected, or no approved display name | 250 business-initiated conversations. This covers every unverified business phone number, because its display name cannot be approved until the business is verified. |
| Connected, with an approved display name | Starts at 1,000 unique Members and scales up through the levels below |
A connected number moves up a level automatically. The move depends on the number's status, its quality rating, and how often you start conversations with unique Members.
| Level | Unique Members you can start conversations with in 24 hours |
|---|---|
| 1 | 1,000 |
| 2 | 10,000 |
| 3 | 100,000 |
| 4 | Unlimited |
A low quality rating can keep a number at 250, even when it meets the other requirements, until the rating improves. For help, contact your Account Manager or yourfriends@community.com.
Why should I use WhatsApp message limits?
Your limit caps how many Members you can start new WhatsApp conversations with in 24 hours. Knowing it helps you plan how many Members you try to reach at once.
How do I use it?
Checking your limit
To see your current limit:
- Open WhatsApp Manager.
- Go to Overview Dashboard.
- Click the Insights tab.
The panel shows your limit only if it has been raised above the default 250.
Increasing your limit
Starting a new conversation with a unique Member can trigger an increase. Your limit moves up one level, within 24 hours, when all three of these are true:
- Your phone number status is Connected.
- Your phone number quality rating is Medium or High.
- In the last 7 days, you started conversations with unique Members equal to at least half of your current limit. For example, at a limit of 1,000, that is 500.
Examples:
Messaging limit increased from 1K to 10K in 2 days:
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business-initiated conversations (new) | 500 | 500 | - | - |
| Business-initiated conversations in the last 7 days | - | 1,000 | - | - |
| Messaging limit | 1K | 10K | - | - |
Messaging limit increased from 1K to 10K in 4 days:
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business-initiated conversations (new) | 100 | 200 | 200 | 300 |
| Business-initiated conversations in the last 7 days | - | 300 | 500 | 800 |
| Messaging limit | 1K | 1K | 1K | 10K |
Common questions
Why is my WhatsApp limit stuck at 250?
Most likely your number is not meeting one of the conditions for moving up. Check these causes:
| Cause | How to tell | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| The number is not connected, or its display name is not approved | The phone number's status is not Connected | Finish connecting WhatsApp. See Connecting WhatsApp |
| The quality rating is low | The phone number's quality rating is not Medium or High | Contact your Account Manager or mailto:yourfriends@community.com |
| You have not started enough conversations | In the last 7 days you started conversations with fewer unique Members than half of your limit | Start conversations with more unique Members. See Increasing your limit |
Why can't I see my messaging limit?
The panel shows your limit only if it has been raised above the default 250. If you do not see it, your limit is most likely still 250. See Checking your limit.