Send opted-in affiliates program updates, creative assets and payout notices on WhatsApp, for offers that WhatsApp's policies permit.
Affiliate programs can use WhatsApp to send opted-in affiliates permitted updates such as onboarding steps, program news, creative assets and payout notices. Each message type needs matching opt-in, the offer must be allowed under WhatsApp's policy, and affiliates must be able to opt out. Part of our affiliate marketing services.
This guide is for affiliate-program managers and businesses that communicate with their own affiliates. It mixes general guidance with a description of what MetaReach sets up, and the two are marked separately below. Affiliates often run promotions for several programs at once, and a short-lived offer or an updated discount code is only useful if they see it in time. Many affiliates check WhatsApp through the day, so it suits short updates they need to act on, alongside email for longer material. It is not the right channel for every affiliate product or business model; see the policy check below.
Welcome messages, tracking-link set-up and account changes.
New offers and campaign changes, where the affiliate opted in to them.
Approved banners, product images and short promotional clips.
A notice that a payout has been processed, with details kept in the dashboard.
Answers to questions about tracking links or commission status.
These are not interchangeable, and consent for one does not automatically cover the others. The message format and template category also depend on the message and on WhatsApp's current template rules, and template approval does not override restrictions on the offer itself.
WhatsApp's policy allows a business to message someone only if they have given their number and opted in to receive messages from that business. For an affiliate program, that means:
A single checkbox does not guarantee compliance; the program is responsible for an opt-in method that meets the policy and applicable law. Source: WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy.
WhatsApp prohibits using its business tools to buy, sell or promote certain goods and services. The list includes multi-level marketing, real-money gambling and gaming, dating services, adult products and services, drugs, alcohol and tobacco, medical and healthcare products, currency including binary options, and payday loans, peer-to-peer lending and debt collection, as well as business models WhatsApp considers fraudulent, misleading or deceptive. Affiliate opt-in and an approved template do not make a prohibited offer permitted. Check each product, offer and business model against the current policy; this is not legal advice.
An illustration of one permitted program update, not a guarantee of policy approval or a description of a specific product configuration.
This guidance supports good practice; it does not by itself ensure compliance with privacy or data-protection law.
MetaReach: sets up the WhatsApp Business API account, helps you create and submit message templates for review, and sets up opt-in capture, such as an opt-in form or flow that records each affiliate's consent by message type. See our WhatsApp Business API page for plans.
Your program: affiliate data and its accuracy, the consent wording shown to affiliates, checking that every offer is permitted, and the content of each message.
WhatsApp suits short updates; email suits monthly performance reports and multi-step onboarding for new affiliates. See our email marketing for affiliate programs for how the two channels work together, and the affiliate program setup guide for structuring consent at sign-up.
No. WhatsApp's policy says opt-in should cover the categories of messages you will send, and recommends separate opt-in by message category. An affiliate who agreed to payout notices has not automatically agreed to receive promotional offers.
Give affiliates a clear way to opt out, for example replying STOP, using an opt-out button or telling their account manager. WhatsApp's policy requires businesses to respect every opt-out request, made on or off WhatsApp, and to remove the person from the contact list.
No. WhatsApp prohibits using its business tools to promote certain goods and services, including multi-level marketing, real-money gambling and gaming, dating services, adult products, payday loans and debt collection, and business models it considers fraudulent or deceptive. Check the offer against the policy first.
No. Template approval checks the format and category of a message. It does not make a prohibited product, service or business model permitted, and messages can still be restricted later based on the policy or user feedback such as blocks and reports.
Protect affiliate phone numbers, payout amounts, bank or tax details and account information. Limit who can see them, keep only what the program needs, and share sensitive financial details through the affiliate dashboard or another secure channel rather than in chat.
Yes. MetaReach sets up the WhatsApp Business API account, helps create and submit message templates, and sets up opt-in capture, such as an opt-in form or flow that records each affiliate's consent by message type. The affiliate program remains responsible for its consent wording, checking that each offer is permitted, and the content of its messages.
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