All About WhatsApp Business Account | Official Business Account (OBA)

All About WhatsApp Business Account | Official Business Account (OBA)

Overview

A WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) enables businesses to use the WhatsApp Business Platform to engage with customers in a secure, trusted, and scalable manner. Businesses can set up a verified profile, manage conversations efficiently, and create a reliable communication identity.

 Depending on brand notability and Meta’s verification standards, businesses may qualify for either a Business Account or an Official Business Account (OBA) — now ​represented by a blue checkmark badge.

Core Functionalities

Types of WhatsApp Business Accounts

There are two types of WhatsApp Business Accounts:

Type

Description

Business Account

  1. Default account type for businesses using the WhatsApp Business Platform or WhatsApp Business App.
  2. Display name visible only in certain views after Business Verification is complete.
  3. Shows phone number in most views.
  4. Basic business information can be added.
  1. Official Business Account (OBA)
  1. Awarded to notable, well-known brands that meet Meta’s official criteria.
  2. Displayed with a blue checkmark badge in the contacts view and chat headers
  3. Enhances trust, brand authority, and discoverability.

WhatsApp Business Account (WABA)

  • Display Name Visibility:

    • Display name appears in smaller text in contacts view once approved.
    • Most views show the phone number unless OBA approval is granted. 

  • Enhanced Business Information: Businesses can provide details such as:

    • Business Website URL

    • Address

    • Operating hours

  1. Profile image
  2. Email
  3. Business description

Official Business Account (OBA)

  • Blue Checkmark Badge: An OBA Number status allows WhatsApp to display a blue checkmark beside the business, name, confirming that Meta has verified it as an authentic and notable brand.

  • Enhanced Trust:

    • Increases customer confidence.
    • Non-OBA numbers do NOT appear in WhatsApp search results unless the user saves the number.
    • OBA significantly improves search discoverability inside WhatsApp.

Criteria to Apply for an Official Business Account (OBA)

Meta evaluates OBA eligibility using specific guidelines that differ from other verification processes.

Eligibility Requirements:

A business must meet all the following criteria:
  1. Compliance with WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy.
  2. Active on WhatsApp Business Platform for at least 30 days
     (This is platform registration — not live traffic requirement.)
  3. Notable & well-known brand :
    1. Frequently searched brand/entity.
    2. Substantial presence in organic online news coverage.
  4. Business Verification Completed
    1. Facebook Business Manager (Meta Business Verification) must be approved.
  5. Two-Step Verification Enabled
    1. Mandatory for the business phone number.
  6. Approved WhatsApp Display Name
    1. Display name must comply with Meta naming guidelines.
    2. If changed later → Meta re-assesses notability & compliance.

  7. Supporting Links (Up to 5 Links) Provide up to 5 credible news article URLs from publications with large audiences:

    1. India Today

    2. Economic Times

    3. Wall Street Journal

    4. Reuters

    5. Wikipedia

    6. Business Insider (Paid or promotional content is not accepted.)

  1. If OBA apply option is not visible

    1. Contact Meta Support / Solution Provider (Karix) / Meta POC to check eligibility.

Notes
Note: OBA is not granted to business employees, test accounts, or Business App accounts.

Understanding Notability

Key Considerations:

  • Represents a notable, well-known, frequently searched brand.
  • Notability does not mean authenticity — it is based on public news presence.
  • Meta only considers organic news articles from large, reputable publications.
  • Paid promotions, business listings, and advertorials are excluded.
  • OBA is approved at the phone number + display name level.
  • Changing the display name after approval triggers re-assessment.
NotesNote: OBA approvals in a WABA do not guarantee automatic approvals for other phone numbers with different display names associated with the account.

Parent–Child Brand Display Names

If your WABA includes a well-known parent brand, and child brands want OBA status:
Format child names as:
{{sub-brand name}} by {{notable parent brand}}

Denied Requests and Re-Application

If your OBA request is denied:

  • Reapply after 30 days. Meta allows businesses to submit a new request after 30 days.

  • Meta decisions cannot be appealed.

  • Maintain Business Profile: Continue updating your business profile with relevant information such as:

    • Profile picture

    • Email address

    • Website URL

    • Business description

NotesNote: Meta does not grant OBA status to business employees, test accounts, or WhatsApp Business App accounts.

How to Apply for an Official Business Account (OBA)?

To apply for an Official Business Account:

  1. Go to WhatsApp Manager → Overview.
  2. Select the business phone number.
  3. Enable Two-Step Verification (if not already enabled).
  4. Click Submit Request.
  5. Provide the required supporting information:
    1. Up to 5 news article links
    2. Countries of operation
    3. Parent brand (if applicable)
    4. Primary language
    5. Business website URL


Requesting OBA via API (For Developers)

Submit OBA Request

POST /<WHATSAPP_BUSINESS_PHONE_NUMBER_ID>/official_business_account

Check OBA Status
GET /<WHATSAPP_BUSINESS_PHONE_NUMBER_ID>?fields=official_business_account

Official WABA Request Form

When applying through Karix or BSP integration, provide the following information:

Field

Description

WABA Phone Number

The WhatsApp Business phone number requiring OBA.

Purpose of WABA

Briefly describe how this WhatsApp Business Number will be used.

WABA Official Display Name

Official display name that complies with WhatsApp’s display name guidelines.

Business Website

URL of the official business website.

Facebook Page

Link to the verified Facebook Page.

Alternate Business Names

If the business operates under other names, provide relevant names.

Supporting Articles

Minimum 5–6 news publication URLs verifying the business’s notability.

Business Verification Status

Confirm if Facebook Business Manager verification has been completed.


Notes

Note: Along with the WABA ID of the account which is shared by Karix team at the time of integration, all details should be submitted to provisioning@karix.com with a cc to:

Reference article from Meta on OBA Request: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/overview/business-accounts/

Conclusion

A WhatsApp Business Account (WABA) enables seamless interaction with customers, while an Official Business Account (OBA) strengthens brand credibility through Meta’s verification and notability standards.

 By meeting updated eligibility requirements—such as display name approval, two-step verification, business verification, and strong online presence—businesses can significantly enhance their digital trust and discoverability.

If your business aims to obtain OBA Number status, follow the updated steps outlined above and maintain a consistent, credible brand presence across platforms.




    • Related Articles

    • WhatsApp Business: Using Utility Templates

      Overview WhatsApp Business API (WABA) Utility Templates are pre-approved message formats designed for sending transactional updates such as admission confirmations, fee reminders, and class rescheduling alerts. These templates enable you to automate ...

    • WhatsApp Business Messaging for RAW Data

      Overview WhatsApp Business API (WABA) integration for RAW Data in Meritto enables you to send WhatsApp messages directly to your RAW Data contacts. This feature enhances lead engagement by providing a direct and interactive communication channel ...

    • WhatsApp Authentication Templates

      Secure OTP Verification via WhatsApp (WABA) Overview Meritto now allows institutes to send One-Time Passwords (OTPs) directly on WhatsApp using WhatsApp Authentication Templates through the official WhatsApp Business API (WABA). Marketing messages ...

    • WhatsApp Opt-out functionality

      Introduction We have this feature wherein leads/applicants are provided with an option to opt out from receiving further WhatsApp communication. This feature will help in enhancing the lead/applicant experience as well as optimize the operational ...

    • All About WhatsApp Business Template Creation Flow

      Overview WhatsApp Business templates allow organizations to communicate effectively with their audience by sending timely, structured, and personalized messages. These templates facilitate seamless customer engagement, nurturing leads, and automating ...