WhatsApp Business Account Policy & Compliances for Spam Reports

WhatsApp Business Account Policy & Compliances for Spam Reports

Overview

If your WhatsApp Business Account has been flagged for sending spam, it indicates non-compliance with WhatsApp’s Business Terms of Service. Repeated violations may result in account restrictions or permanent suspension.

To avoid disruptions, you must ensure that messages are only sent to recipients who have explicitly opted in to receive WhatsApp communications.

It is recommended to review WhatsApp's Business policies and implement measures to prevent any future violations.

This article outlines WhatsApp’s spam monitoring process, compliance best practices, and corrective measures to restore account health.

Key Compliance Measures

To minimize the risk of spam reports:

  • Send messages only to users who have opted in.

  • Avoid sending bulk messages at once. Instead, segment your audience and send messages in smaller batches.

  • Incorporate quick reply buttons to encourage user interaction.

  • Include an opt-out option in every message footer:

    • "Please reply 'STOP' if you no longer wish to receive communications from us."

Following these guidelines will help maintain engagement while preventing your account from being flagged.

Spam Monitoring Stages by Meta

WhatsApp (Meta) monitors spam activity in five stages:

Stage

Action Taken by Meta

Consequence

Stage 1

Spamming Notification

Meta issues an initial warning about spam activity.

Stage 2

Temporary Template Pause

If a template is marked as spam:

1st instance → Paused for 3 hours

2nd instance → Paused for 6 hours

3rd instance → Permanently disabled.

Stage 3

Phone Number Flagged

Continued spam reports lead to Meta flagging the associated phone number.

Stage 4

Tier Limit Reduction

WhatsApp reduces the messaging tier limit, restricting the number of messages that can be sent.

Stage 5

Account Restriction

Persistent spam reports result in a 30-day account restriction. An appeal can be submitted, but frequent violations may lead to permanent suspension.

Important Consideration:

  • Each of these stages can be reversed, and the account’s health can be restored as spamming activity decreases. However, if spamming persists and multiple reports are submitted, the account may face permanent suspension. In such cases, the chances of successful appeal or account reinstatement are minimal.

  • If high spam reports occur at Stage 1, Meta can directly enforce Stage 5 without progressing through the previous stages.

  • If the account is permanently suspended, the chances of reinstatement are very low.

What to Do If Your Account Is Flagged?

If your account has been flagged for spam:

  1. Reduce the frequency of messages and avoid sending bulk messages in one go.

  2. Segment your audience to avoid triggering spam filters.

  3. Ensure message content is compliant with WhatsApp's Business Policies.

  4. Monitor template status—if a template is paused, avoid resending it immediately.

  5. Encourage engagement by using interactive features like quick reply buttons.

  6. Always provide an opt-out option ("Reply STOP to unsubscribe") to prevent users from marking messages as spam.

  7. Reach out to your Account Manager for further clarification or assistance.

Conclusion

Ensuring compliance with WhatsApp’s Business Policies is crucial to maintaining a healthy account and preventing disruptions. By following best practices—such as obtaining user consent, limiting bulk messaging, and including opt-out options—you can minimize spam reports and sustain seamless communication. Regular monitoring and proactive adjustments will help safeguard your account from restrictions or permanent suspension.

For further assistance, reach out to your Account Manager or contact ticket@meritto.com.


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