---
title: Message Formats
slug: message-formats
icon: 📝
docTags: 
createdAt: 2023-02-16T14:07:03.000Z
---

WhatsApp Business messages are broadly categorized into **template messages and free-form messages.**

# 1. Template Messages

- Templates are structured messages composed of various components.
- Components include a header, message body, and buttons designed for specific actions.
- Pre-approved message formats designed for business use.
- Typically used for notifications, alerts, reminders, or other structured communication.
- Must adhere to WhatsApp's policies and receive approval before use.

## Categories of Template Messages

- **Marketing Templates**: Promote offers, products, or services.

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- **Utility Templates**: Send updates like order confirmations or shipment details.

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- **Authentication Templates**: Send OTPs or verification codes for secure authentication.

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## WhatsApp Template Components

- Templates are structured messages composed of various components.
- Components include a header, message body, and buttons designed for specific actions.

### Header

- The header is the topmost section and supports media types such as images, videos, or documents.
- Note - Media can be added only after template approval.

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### Message Body

- This section contains the main content.
- Ensure clarity, conciseness, and adherence to WhatsApp’s guidelines.

### Copy Code Button

- Allows users to copy codes (e.g., discount, referral, or verification codes) to their clipboard.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/Ckqy414AszKsn0qX_tAdT-5rZV5ECNJQlREJQxPslGX-20250103-090547.png" size="30" width="529" height="1024" position="center" showCaption="false"}

### URL Button

- Redirects users to specific web pages (e.g., product pages, or informational resources).

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/Ckqy414AszKsn0qX_tAdT-MNf11fAt7BwjRoem2Dn3T-20250103-094712.png" size="28" width="385" height="664" position="center" showCaption="false"}

### Phone Button

- Enables users to call a specified phone number with a single click.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/Ckqy414AszKsn0qX_tAdT-PCjPXFEo1YINcvj1RsU7j-20250103-114719.png" size="28" width="384" height="664" position="center" showCaption="false"}

### Quick Reply Button

- Provides users with pre-defined response options (e.g., Yes/No or time slot selection).
- Subsequent messages can follow based on the user's selection.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/Ckqy414AszKsn0qX_tAdT-ZZKbM5IXRCJWxDxDsTKJW-20250103-093435.png" size="30" width="1190" height="2048" position="center" showCaption="false"}

### Flow Button

- Enables users to start with App journeys with a single click.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/Ckqy414AszKsn0qX_tAdT-8guJju9NAHsQ3kt95fxOn-20250103-100347.png" size="42" width="728" height="817" position="center" showCaption="false"}

#

# 2. Free-Form Messages 

- Unstructured and dynamic messages exchanged within a 24-hour service window. 
- Businesses can respond to customer queries or engage in real-time conversations. Ideal for personalized support or ongoing discussions initiated by the user.
- These messages are not subject to pre-approval, offering flexibility in responding to customer needs. 

### Message Types

- **Address Messages **enable you to request a delivery address directly from WhatsApp users with ease.

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- **Audio Messages **display an audio icon linked to an audio file. Users can tap the icon to play the file within the WhatsApp app.

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- **Contact Messages **allow you to share detailed contact information such as names, phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses with WhatsApp users.

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- **Document Messages **show an icon linked to a document, which users can tap to download.

::Image[]{src="https://scontent.fblr1-10.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.2365-6/440797712_455258680228442_8760882695056096687_n.png?_nc_cat=109&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=e280be&_nc_ohc=7_-mQz_bkr4Q7kNvgGp7EMX&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.fblr1-10.fna&_nc_gid=AMk0WFZNjebhfKXJa1nvlOp&oh=00_AYDJ_7A2pmN1jx5DNCS6syvZkpQCIcHl4fuzlOcxCMy1PQ&oe=67875A0E" size="60" width="1210" height="443" position="center" showCaption="false"}

- **Image Messages **let you send a single image accompanied by an optional caption.

::Image[- **Interactive Button Messages with URL:** These provide clickable buttons linked to any URL, removing the need to include long or complex URLs in the message text.- **Interactive Flow Messages:** These allow you to deliver structured content, offering customers an intuitive way to book appointments, browse products, provide feedback, generate leads, or perform other tasks using WhatsApp Flows.- **Interactive List Messages:** These display a list of selectable options for users, offering a convenient way to engage.- **Location Messages:** These send specific geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) to users to pinpoint a location.- **Sticker Messages:** These include animated or static stickers, adding a visual element to messages.- **Text Messages:** These are simple messages that include plain text and may optionally feature a link preview.- **Template Messages:** These allow you to send predefined templates for marketing, utility, or authentication purposes. Unlike other message types, these don’t rely on a 24-hour interaction window with the recipient.- **Video Messages:** These feature a thumbnail preview of a video and may include a caption. Users can tap the preview to play the video.- **Reaction Messages:** These are emoji-based reactions you can use to respond to a user’s previous message.]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/LSvaQ8v7MiAYpp8V288yP/zpx9VJJs55zPUGVHnFe1w_image.png" size="60" width="1210" height="1033" position="center" showCaption="false"}

- **Interactive Button Messages with URL **provide clickable buttons linked to any URL, removing the need to include long or complex URLs in the message text.

::Image[]{src="https://scontent.fblr1-5.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.2365-6/387794034_834598291999256_6696668626971940741_n.png?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=e280be&_nc_ohc=YfpgBN-Hj7wQ7kNvgHmB_9F&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.fblr1-5.fna&_nc_gid=Azj_UtN324PHxf5rtCuumKM&oh=00_AYCppUc-nDvxsDh8w8yXtC4p0XkIbkJPzfwWoyNg8YTXBg&oe=678750A2" size="60" width="900" height="379" position="center" showCaption="false"}

- **Interactive Flow Messages **allow you to deliver structured content, offering customers an intuitive way to book appointments, browse products, provide feedback, generate leads, or perform other tasks using WhatsApp Flows.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/Ckqy414AszKsn0qX_tAdT-KjbVI60DlzKBy_d1CWU03-20241226-115135.png" size="28" width="369" height="640" position="center" showCaption="false"}

- **Interactive List Messages **display a list of selectable options for users, offering a convenient way to engage.

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- **Interactive Location Request Messages **present a text prompt along with a "Send Location" button. When users tap the button, they are directed to a screen where they can share their current location.

::Image[]{src="https://scontent.fblr1-5.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.2365-6/440778444_741946064791848_335647298308114961_n.png?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=e280be&_nc_ohc=-CyUjaR7F70Q7kNvgFYFual&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.fblr1-5.fna&_nc_gid=Azj_UtN324PHxf5rtCuumKM&oh=00_AYCA_EfrDpS_wvh6SnDsc5E12MtYr8EQHAWduwvgJseXWA&oe=67872E51" size="60" width="1210" height="362" position="center" showCaption="false"}

- **Interactive Reply Button Messages **let you provide up to three pre-set options for users to select as their reply.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/Ckqy414AszKsn0qX_tAdT-3tXSirBuLX7Y_rDm7J2lZ-20241226-115529.png" size="30" width="1190" height="1624" position="center" showCaption="false"}

- **Location Messages **send specific geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) to users to pinpoint a location.

::Image[]{src="https://scontent.fblr1-6.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.2365-6/440739359_451301924241746_5496230692221042707_n.png?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=e280be&_nc_ohc=tQJ9gavm5ocQ7kNvgHLfNo-&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.fblr1-6.fna&_nc_gid=Azj_UtN324PHxf5rtCuumKM&oh=00_AYBsDKb6epZyZAU85R8Uk8VcoNLz_82NH68cwYbNYIXxOw&oe=67874894" size="60" width="1210" height="770" position="center" showCaption="false"}

- **Text Messages **are simple messages that include plain text and may optionally feature a link preview.

::Image[]{src="https://scontent.fblr1-5.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.2365-6/440778097_900237625125034_93345957848876145_n.png?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=e280be&_nc_ohc=oewyASCt5soQ7kNvgG1_RH4&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.fblr1-5.fna&_nc_gid=Azj_UtN324PHxf5rtCuumKM&oh=00_AYA40aaebqcUkJYJIQFFpv7hpxtPRigE_KMovowXbXjEuQ&oe=6787394F" size="60" width="1210" height="664" position="center" showCaption="false"}

- **Template Messages **allow you to send predefined templates for marketing, utility, or authentication purposes. Unlike other message types, these don’t rely on a 24-hour interaction window with the recipient.

::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/Ckqy414AszKsn0qX_tAdT-5-Wuvuo6HqptsEb8H3JE8-20241226-115607.png" size="30" width="1210" height="1366" position="center" showCaption="false"}

- **Video Messages **feature a thumbnail preview of a video and may include a caption. Users can tap the preview to play the video.

::Image[]{src="https://scontent.fblr1-7.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.2365-6/441312822_455518227141854_5770420105763186824_n.png?_nc_cat=110&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=e280be&_nc_ohc=GxhXib6I9WEQ7kNvgEhZvRw&_nc_zt=14&_nc_ht=scontent.fblr1-7.fna&_nc_gid=Azj_UtN324PHxf5rtCuumKM&oh=00_AYDbmkmtlS55UHwY6MSuzsfLJ9gq8r2hovx1eWOqwL-N0w&oe=67875227" size="60" width="1210" height="673" position="center" showCaption="false"}

- **Reaction Messages **are emoji-based reactions you can use to respond to a user’s previous message.

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##

# 3. Key Difference 

- Template messages are pre-structured and require approval, often used outside the 24-hour messaging window. 
- Free-form messages are spontaneous and used within the 24-hour window for active customer conversations.