Are you tired of being the black sheep of the WhatsApp business community without that coveted green tick verification? You are constantly seeing some WhatsApp business accounts with that glowing verified green tick from WhatsApp while you are still using the standard business app.
You find yourself constantly being mistaken for a spam account and struggling to get noticed by potential customers. If you can resonate with this, it's time to end your verification woes and join the green tick elite.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the ins and outs of how to get Green tick verification on WhatsApp, including some best practices to help ensure your success.
So let's start from the basics.
WhatsApp Green Tick – What is it?
WhatsApp Green Tick is an official verification given to your WhatsApp Business account.
The WhatsApp green tick is a "mark of authenticity" for your account, proving that you are a legitimate business and not a spammer.
That's PROOF
The advantage is that whenever you try to communicate with your user for the first time, they will know that you are a real business and won't ignore your messages.
However, you can still use all the features of WhatsApp Business, even if you don't have the green tick. It will be easier for your users to know when they can trust you and when they should ignore your messages.
Think of it like a Twitter profile with no image and one with a little blue checkmark; there's a big difference, right?
That’s why you should ask WhatsApp,
But getting a verified account is not just like slapping a green tick on your profile. There are some eligibility requirements that you need to meet, and there are some things that you have to do first.
Let's get into the details and see how to verify your WhatsApp Business account.
Eligibility Criteria for WhatsApp Green Tick Verification
Here are the eligibility requirements for getting a WhatsApp Business account verified:
You must be a registered business in India.
1. WhatsApp Business API account
You must use a WhatsApp Business API account to qualify for the green tick verification. This account type requires Facebook Business Verification, which ensures your business is authentic and legitimate.
To apply for Facebook Business Verification:
- Visit the Facebook Business Manager.
- Navigate to the "Security Center" tab.
- Click on "Start Verification" and follow the on-screen instructions.
Note: Official Business Accounts are not available to businesses using WhatsApp Business App. Also, business employees and test accounts do not qualify for Official Business Accounts.
2. Enable 2-step authentication
Meta requires two-step verification (also known as 2FA or 2-factor authentication) for its members to ensure their accounts are secure. To enable this, head to the security center. There, you can find three options to activate your 2-step verification:
- SMS
- Security key
- Authentication app
3. Tier 2 messaging level or above
Your account should ideally be at the Tier 2 messaging level or higher to improve your chances of getting verified. WhatsApp uses a tier system to categorize accounts based on the volume of messages sent and received, indicating the level of engagement between your business and customers. To reach Tier 2 or higher, maintain a high-quality messaging experience and respond promptly to customer inquiries.
4. Being a notable brand
To showcase your business's notability and credibility, you should have at least three organic public relations (PR) mentions. Paid PR does not count towards this requirement. Focus on securing press coverage in reputable publications or media outlets by:
- Sharing newsworthy stories or events related to your business
- Building relationships with journalists and influencers in your industry
- Participating in industry events, conferences, or trade shows
So if you have all these things, what should you do next? Just reach out to us, and we will take care of the verification process.
How to Apply for the WhatsApp Green Tick
This is a simple process and takes only a few minutes to complete if you are eligible. All you need to do is:
- Log in to your Facebook Business Manager account and navigate to "Business Settings."
- Under "Accounts," select "WhatsApp Accounts" and choose the account you wish to verify.
- Go to "Settings" and click on "Contact Support."
- In the support section, click "Ask a question" and select "WABiz: Request official business account status."
- Fill out the necessary information, enabling two-factor authentication before submitting your request.
- Check the status of your request under "Direct support" in your Business Manager.
- If approved, your WhatsApp Business account will be upgraded to an official business account, displaying a verified green checkmark next to your profile picture.
The best way: If you are too busy to do everything, from evaluating the eligibility criteria and submitting your application to waiting for approval, reach out to us. We will submit the verification request on your behalf at no cost.
However, BiteSpeed cannot guarantee approval of the green tick by WhatsApp. Ultimately, the decision to approve or reject the verification request lies solely with WhatsApp and is final.
Why Should You Apply for WhatsApp Green Tick?
If you're looking to boost your brand's image and customer interactions, securing the WhatsApp green tick or WhatsApp Business Verification can offer your organization many benefits.
While obtaining the green tick is not mandatory, it can significantly elevate your brand's standing in the eyes of your clientele. Here are some advantages of pursuing a WhatsApp green tick:
1. Distinctive brand identity
In an age where online scams are rampant, having a unique identity is imperative to differentiate your business from others. As an official WhatsApp Business Verified account, you can show your customers you're the real deal by providing them with the green tick. This will reinforce your credibility and give them peace of mind when doing business with you.
2. Offers a competitive edge
Not all the brands that apply for the green tick are granted one, making it a unique advantage. As the only official WhatsApp Business Verified account in your industry, you can use this to differentiate yourself from your competitors and stand out in the crowded marketplace.
3. Better customer engagement
This is the most obvious benefit of getting the green tick. You can use it to create more engaging customer experiences and boost sales by adding a level of trust and security to your business.
When you complete the Business Verification process, your business name will appear whenever your customers call you without saving your contact number. This ensures that people immediately recognize whom they're talking to instead of getting a tag number or another random string of digits.
Wouldn't that make your customers feel more comfortable and secure?
Can you Use WhatsApp Business API Without the Green Tick?
Yes, you can use the WhatsApp Business API without having a green tick, which simply indicates that WhatsApp has verified the authenticity of the business. It is not a requirement to use the API.
The primary reason why WhatsApp has introduced the green tick is to help its users identify if they are interacting with a verified business or not. This is especially important because several fake accounts claim to be representing businesses, but in reality, they're just scamming people.
You can still use all the features available for the WhatsApp account, but trust and credibility are at stake when dealing with a verified business. This is why verifying your WhatsApp account is essential if you want to establish your brand and build credibility.
Which Brands Cannot Apply for WhatsApp Green Tick?
While there are many brands out there that can apply for the WhatsApp green tick, there are some that cannot. They are:
- Narcotics
- Tobacco
- Goods Wagering/Gambling Enterprises
- Alcohol Suppliers
- Arms & Munitions Firms
- Live Animal Trade
- Adult Goods/Services
- Healthcare/Medical Items
- Dating Services
- Digital Currency Platforms
And that's not the only brand; check out the full list by WhatsApp here. You cannot apply for the WhatsApp green tick if you are a brand in any of these categories.
What to Do if Your Green Badge Application Gets Rejected?
If your application gets rejected by WhatsApp, there is nothing you can do. The rules are clear and straightforward; if your brand falls under one of these categories, they cannot issue a green badge.
On the other hand, you can still check whether your brand fits with the eligibility criteria listed above. If you are eligible for a green badge, then you can apply again after a month. If not, then you need to wait until WhatsApp releases another set of criteria for the green tick program.
4 Tips to Boost Your Chances of Getting the WhatsApp Green Tick Verification
Just imagine the scenario in which you tried everything but still got rejected by WhatsApp. In fact, it happens a lot.
Here are some tips that will help you boost your chances of getting the WhatsApp green tick verification:
1. Get a reliable WhatsApp API account
You need to have a reliable WhatsApp API account in order to get the green tick verification. This is because, with your WhatsApp API, the process becomes a lot more efficient and faster.
If you are clueless about getting a reliable WhatsApp API provider, contact us, and we will guide you through the process in a semi-automated mode.
2. Run Click-to WhatsApp ads
By running wider-ranging WhatsApp marketing activities, you demonstrate your mastery of the platform and provide more reasons for Meta to give you a green badge. Also, as you have to reach the Tier 2 message level, this is the most natural way of achieving this.
Through click-to WhatsApp ads, you can drive users to your WhatsApp chat to get their product. This way, you can increase the number of conversations with your customers and, ultimately, the sales.
3. Maintain a high-quality rating for your number
Quality rating is determined by the number of spam complaints, rejected messages, and user reports against your number. The higher the quality rating, the better it is for your business, as it will help you avoid blocking by WhatsApp and get more exposure to your audience.
So, if you want to be verified on WhatsApp, make sure that your messaging volume and quality rating are impressive. To achieve this, use opt-in tools on your website and send messages to those who have opted in. You could also use a chatbot for this purpose.
4. Try to boost your brand awareness
As Meta considers your brand's popularity as an eligibility factor, you need to boost your brand awareness. You can create videos, publish content on social media channels like Facebook and Instagram, and share it with your audience. This will help you increase the number of opt-in users and improve your messaging quality.
Wrapping Up
There you have it! The next step is to start your WhatsApp green tick verification process.
Start by evaluating your brand's popularity; if it's medium, then focus on increasing the awareness of your brand. On the other hand, if you're already popular and have a lot of users opt in, then focus on improving user engagement. You will be surprised to see how much it helps with your business goals!
Not all Shopify owners will have the time to go through this tedious process, as you might have already struggled with other issues with your store. Worry not, as we are here as your best buddy for all these things for you.
We don't just stop at getting the WhatsApp green tick verification, but also help you scale your conversion and convert your WhatsApp into a money-generating machine that works on semi-auto pilot mode to bring better results.
Want to explore more? Schedule a no-strings-attached demo call with us, and watch your business scale.
