Want to get the coveted WhatsApp green tick (now known as the blue tick)? This article covers everything you need to know about how to verify WhatsApp Business Account. We’ll start by going over what a WhatsApp green tick is, along with its benefits for businesses. Then, leveraging our firsthand experience and insights gained from serving numerous customers, we’ll go over how to become an Official Business Account and some best practices you can apply.
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What is a WhatsApp Green Tick? (or WhatsApp Verified Badge)
WhatsApp green tick is a badge designed to help WhatsApp Business distinguish between an authentic brand account and a fake account. It indicates that the business account is verified by WhatsApp and that it belongs to the brand it claims to be.
This badge is especially important for popular brands susceptible to getting their account impersonated. WhatsApp is very particular about which businesses get this badge to protect users from spam and fake accounts.
For clarification, Meta has recently changed the verified icon color from green to blue. If you see terms like "WhatsApp blue checkmark" or "blue tick," they refer to the WhatsApp verified icon. To avoid confusion, we will continue referring to it as the "green tick" throughout this blog.
Differences Between Regular Business Account vs Verified Business Account
By default, all WhatsApp accounts using the Business App and API are WhatsApp Business accounts. Only businesses that use WhatsApp API, also known as WhatsApp Business Platform, can apply for a green tick.
Once the Business account is verified and gets the green tick, it will be an Official Business Account. In summary, a WhatsApp official account is a WhatsApp API account that has been verified. While getting the green tick doesn’t come with any extra features, there are many other benefits to it.
3 Benefits and 1 Downside of WhatsApp Green Tick
There are 3 benefits of WhatsApp Green Tick we’ll cover in this section: Proof of authenticity, more credibility and higher brand recognition.
Proof of Authenticity
Having a WhatsApp Official Business Account with the green tick serves as proof of authenticity. It indicates that your business is verified by WhatsApp and recognized as notable. This helps customers trust that they are engaging with the actual business, not an imposter.
More Credibility
The green tick also adds a layer of credibility to your business. Customers see that your brand is established and reliable enough to earn the green tick. As a result, they are more likely to engage with your messages and less likely to report or block your business. The green tick sets you apart from competitors who lack verification, giving you a credibility boost.
Higher Brand Recognition
With a WhatsApp Official Business Account, your business name will appear in chat headers, chat lists, and business profiles—without requiring users to save your phone number. This ensures higher brand recognition and makes it clear to customers that they are interacting with the right business. The visibility and notability of the green tick help your brand stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Plus, WhatsApp users don’t have to save your phone number to see your business name. This makes Official Business Accounts stand out from regular business accounts and lets customers know they are reaching the right business account.
So, is there any downside to verifying your WhatsApp Business account?
Well, there is one. If you take on this journey alone, applying for a WhatsApp verified badge can be stringent and there is certainly a possibility of rejection. For this reason, you have to be familiar with the four requirements for getting the WhatsApp Green Tick.
4 Requirements for Getting the WhatsApp Green Tick
Now that you understand the basics of getting a green tick, let’s look at the requirements to get one. Besides having to abide by WhatsApp’s Business and Commerce Policies, you’ll need to ensure the following points.
1. Your account is a WhatsApp API Account
To qualify for the green tick, your business must be using a WhatsApp API account, which allows for more advanced features and is typically used by larger or more established businesses. This is a prerequisite for becoming an Official Business Account.
2. You have verified your business on Meta Business Manager
Your business needs to be verified through Meta Business Manager. This process involves submitting your business documentation to Meta for approval, ensuring that your brand is legitimate and ready for the next steps in obtaining the green tick.
3. You have enabled 2-step verification
To further secure your account, you should enable 2-step verification. This adds an extra layer of protection, making it harder for unauthorized users to gain access to your WhatsApp Business account.
4. You are a notable business
Meta defines a notable business as one that is well-known and frequently searched. To prove this, businesses are encouraged to submit 3-5 media coverage links from reputable news articles or magazines. These links should feature your business and must match the business name used on WhatsApp and in Meta Business Suite. Note that Meta does not accept paid or promotional content as valid sources for review.
To further increase your chances, it’s recommended to have a Google Business Profile to enhance your online presence, as Meta checks for brand mentions through Google searches. Additionally, having a substantial number of Facebook followers can also demonstrate the relevance and notability of your business.
While meeting all the requirements sounds simple, there's no guarantee that your WhatsApp Business account will get verified. That said, your chances are way higher if you follow a reliable guide like the next one.
How to Verify WhatsApp Business Account: 2 Ways
There are two common ways to get your WhatsApp Green Tick. You can do it yourself on WhatsApp Manager or through a Business Solution Provider (BSP). Applying for the green tick on WhatsApp Manager is free, regardless of the option you choose.
1. How to Verify WhatsApp Business Account: WhatsApp Manager
Any businesses using WhatsApp Business API or WhatsApp Cloud API can verify their WhatsApp Business account by themselves. Follow the steps below to start.
1. Go to WhatsApp Manager and select the phone number you want to request for an Official Business Account under the Overview section.
2. Turn on 2-step verification for this phone number to apply for an Official Business Account if you haven’t enabled it before applying for the green tick.
3. Fill in your business details and click on the Submit Request button. Note that the Submit Request button will be grayed out if your business does not meet Meta’s green tick requirements.
4. Provide the required information. You have to provide information like the reason for requesting a green tick and up to 5 supporting links to show that the business is notable.
When providing the reason for requesting the green tick, include a brief explanation of your company and its position in the market to justify your green tick application. Once you’ve provided all the required information, click Submit.
That’s all you have to do if you apply through your WhatsApp Manager. Meta will review your application and provide an update within three business days. Once the review is complete, you’ll receive a notification through the verification method you selected.
Let’s now look at how to apply through your WhatsApp BSP.
2. How to Verify WhatsApp Business Account: BSPs
If you’re currently using WhatsApp Business API or On-premises API, you can get help with the application from your BSPs. However, BSPs usually charge businesses for this.
The WhatsApp Business verification process will differ depending on which WhatsApp Partner you sign up with, so it’s best if you contact your BSP directly to get details of the application process and application fees.
Regardless, we’ve researched and compiled the most common things you need to do and prepare before getting help from your BSP. Here’s what you need:
- Screenshot showing your verified Meta Business Manager status
- Business website address
- Facebook Page URL
- Business name in languages other than English (if any)
- Facebook ID
- WhatsApp phone number
Depending on your BSP, they’ll either apply for an Official Business Account on your behalf or guide you on how to do it yourself via their respective dashboards. If they apply on your behalf, the whole process from application to approval will take up to 3 weeks.
3 Tips to Get Your WhatsApp Green Tick Approved
Next, we will share 3 tips to ensure success when applying for a green tick.
1. Reapply for Green Tick After 30 Days
If you apply for a green tick on your own, you will typically receive a response within 2-4 business days. However, if your application is rejected, you can reapply after 30 days. Meta encourages businesses to build their presence in news articles and online content before reapplying to increase their chances of approval.
It’s important to note that having a verified Facebook Page or Instagram profile does not automatically guarantee verification on WhatsApp, so use the 30-day waiting period to strengthen your brand's visibility.
2. Use WhatsApp Widget and WhatsApp Link to Help Customers Find You Easily
If your goal is to help customers easily identify your authentic WhatsApp account, there are other methods beyond the green tick to associate your WhatsApp with your business. You can add a WhatsApp widget to your website, making it simple for customers to reach out.
Additionally, placing a WhatsApp link on your Instagram profile and Facebook Page can direct users to your verified business account, ensuring that customers connect with the correct WhatsApp number and boosting trust in your communications.
3. Connect WhatsApp API to respond.io
If you’re currently using the WhatsApp Business App and would like to upgrade to WhatsApp API to apply for the green tick, get the WhatsApp API from respond.io. Respond.io is a BSP that provides an AI-powered customer conversation management software for all your messaging needs.
This means you can get instant API access, fully manage your WhatsApp API accounts and use WhatsApp Business with multiple users. You can even connect your WhatsApp CRM to conduct marketing, sales, support and more from one platform.
Best of all, respond.io is a badged Meta Business Partner, vetted and recognized by Meta for its expertise. Now that we’ve shown you everything you need to know, we hope you can apply and get the green tick in no time!
What to Do if Your Application Gets Rejected?
If your WhatsApp Green Tick application gets rejected, do not give up. Here is how you can fix this in three steps.
1. Address the Reason for Rejection
Meta always provides a reason for rejection. It could be that your business doesn’t qualify as notable, or perhaps it doesn’t comply with the Meta Business Commerce Policy. The first step is to identify this reason and plan for a solution before reapplying.
2. Reapply After 30 Days
You can start a new application 30 days after your initial one was denied once the problem is resolved.
3. Contact the Respond.io Customer Support Team
As WhatsApp experts, we help businesses get their WhatsApp verification approved quickly and effectively. If you are already a respond.io user, don’t hesitate to reach out to the respond.io support team to verify your WhatsApp account the easy way.
Get WhatsApp Green Tick Guidance for Free on Respond.io
As a Meta Partner, respond.io is uniquely positioned to help you secure your WhatsApp green tick. With direct access to Meta’s customer support, no one is more qualified than us to guide you through the green tick verification process.
Unlike other BSPs that offer limited support, we provide dedicated assistance for your WhatsApp Green Tick verification from start to finish.
Businesses That Can’t Get the Green Tick on WhatsApp
The Meta Business Commerce policy determines what businesses can buy or sell on the platform. It is likely that if your business belongs to one of Meta’s forbidden categories, you’ll get your WhatsApp Green Tick application rejected.
Here are some of the prohibited commerce activities on WhatsApp:
- Gambling
- Medical and healthcare products
- Prescription products, drugs and drug paraphernalia
- Subscriptions and digital products
- Tobacco products and related paraphernalia
To know all of them, consult the Meta Business Commerce Policy.
Improve your Sales Processes with respond.io WhatsApp Automation
As a newly Meta-verified business, you’re now held to higher standards for the quality and speed of your responses. While manually replying to every conversation might work for now, it will become increasingly challenging as your conversation volume grows.
So, what’s the solution with the best ROI? We recommend respond.io. It’s more than just a sales inbox—it equips you to automate essential processes like lead assignment and appointment booking, ensuring you never miss a lead and always stay ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a green tick?
It generally takes 1-2 business days. However, it might take a week in some cases.
Do I need to pay for WhatsApp Green Tick verification?
WhatsApp doesn't charge any fee for Green Tick verification.
Can small businesses get a green tick?
Any business using the WhatsApp Business Platform (API) can get a green tick as long as it complies with the WhatsApp and Meta policies.
Can I transfer the green tick to another account?
No, the green tick badge is non-transferable.
How can I maintain my green tick status?
- Ensure consistent messaging across platforms to establish trust and credibility.
- Maintain timely and responsive communication.
- Handle customer grievances and offer reliable support to your customers.
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Further Reading
If you're interested in more information about WhatsApp for Business, check out these articles:
- Everything you need to know about WhatsApp Cloud API
- How to use WhatsApp Business Multiple Users
- How to Get WhatsApp API
