How to · Opt-in

How to get WhatsApp opt-in from your customers

Before you send offers or updates, the customer has to agree to hear from you on WhatsApp. It protects your number from blocks, and it's Meta's rule. Here is what a valid opt-in looks like and the easy ways to collect one.

Start your Free Trial now All how-to guides

✨ Ask AI about this page:

ChatGPT

Claude

Perplexity

Short answer

Ask clearly, with your business name — for example a checkbox: “Send me order updates and offers from [your business name] on WhatsApp.” Meta lets you collect it any way you like: on your website, at checkout, on paper in your shop, by SMS or phone. In Lead Pattern, tag customers who agreed, and give every marketing message an easy way to stop.

Bot actions incl. Opt out (Help Center)

Step by step

How to do it in Lead Pattern

Say who and what

Meta's rule: make it clear the person is opting in to receive messages, and name your business. Example: “Yes, send me offers from [your business name] on WhatsApp.”

Pick where to ask

A checkbox on your website or checkout, a sign-up sheet at the counter, or a question on a phone call — Meta leaves the method to you.

Let customers message first

A chat button on your site, a QR code at the counter or a click-to-WhatsApp ad lets people start the chat themselves. A welcome bot can then ask “Want offers on WhatsApp?” with Yes / No buttons.

Record it with a tag

Tag customers who said yes (for example “Offers opt-in”) — a bot's Add tag step can do it on the Yes tap, or tag a whole list while importing it.

Make stopping easy

Add a “Stop offers” button to marketing templates, or a bot that reacts to the word STOP, and connect it to the bot's Opt out step.

Ways to collect opt-in

| Where | How | |---|---| | Your website | A checkbox on the enquiry or sign-up form, or a WhatsApp chat button | | Your shop | A WhatsApp QR code on the counter, bills or packaging | | Online store | Ask at checkout or on the order form, in your own words — then connect Shopify or WooCommerce so order updates go out on WhatsApp | | Ads | Click-to-WhatsApp ads — a bot can greet these leads differently (Growth plan and above) | | Paper or phone | A sign-up sheet or a call — Meta allows these too |

Good habits

Ask separately for order updates and for offers. Meta suggests this — people who only want updates are less likely to block you when they get no offers.
Honour every opt-out. Opted-out customers are removed from broadcast audiences automatically in Lead Pattern, even if they match a segment.
Build audiences from the tag. Make a segment of customers tagged “Offers opt-in” and send marketing only to them. Tag & segment customers →

New to the words? See the WhatsApp glossary or the beginner's guide.

Free tools and templates

WhatsApp QR code generator

Scan-to-chat QR for your shop.

Make a QR →

WhatsApp chat button maker

A floating button for your website.

Make a button →

Welcome & opt-in templates

Opt-in confirmation, welcome messages.

See templates →

Questions people ask

What is a WhatsApp opt-in?+

A customer's permission to receive WhatsApp messages from your business. Meta asks that it clearly says the person is opting in and names your business.

Does the opt-in have to be collected on WhatsApp?+

No. Meta says the method is up to you — website, SMS, a phone call, or in person or on paper all work, as long as the wording is clear.

Can I message my old customer list?+

Only the people who agreed to hear from you. Messaging people who never opted in leads to blocks and reports, which hurt your quality rating and daily limit.

How do customers stop my messages?+

Give them a clear way — a “Stop offers” button or replying STOP — and connect it to a bot's Opt out step. Opted-out customers are skipped in every future broadcast.

More how-to guides

Try it on your own number — free for 14 days.

Start your Free Trial now Book a Demo Chat on WhatsApp

14-day free trial · No credit card · Free WhatsApp API setup