WhatsApp Business & Group Messaging Glossary
Plain-English definitions of WhatsApp business terms — from broadcast lists and Cloud API to multi-group campaigns and account health. Reference this when navigating WhatsApp business tools and strategies.
This glossary covers terms for WhatsApp Business API, group management, Communities, and multi-group campaigns. Each term links to relevant guides where applicable.
Broadcast List
A consumer WhatsApp feature that lets you send one message to up to 256 contacts. Each recipient sees the message as a personal 1:1 chat, not a group conversation. Available in the WhatsApp Business app. Recipients must have your number saved to receive broadcast messages.
WhatsApp Group
A chat where multiple participants (up to 1,024) can see and respond to each other's messages. Admins control who joins, can set permissions for who can send messages and edit group info, and manage group settings. Different from broadcast lists where recipients see 1:1 messages.
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WhatsApp Community
A structure that organizes multiple related groups (up to 50) under one umbrella. Communities have an announcement group where admins can broadcast to all community members, plus linked sub-groups for focused discussions. Launched by Meta in 2022 for organizing larger group networks.
Announcement Group
The main group in a WhatsApp Community where only admins can send messages by default (though this can be changed in settings). Used to broadcast important updates to all community members. Every community has one announcement group plus optional sub-groups.
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WhatsApp Cloud API
Meta's WhatsApp Business API for business messaging. Enables 1:1 template messages, media sending, webhooks, and automation for businesses. Requires opt-in and approved message templates. Does not provide access to post into existing large consumer groups. The Groups API is limited to small new groups (max 8 participants).
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BSP (Business Service Provider)
A company authorized by Meta to provide access to the WhatsApp Cloud API. BSPs handle infrastructure, provide inbox interfaces, and manage message delivery. Examples include WATI, AiSensy, 360dialog, Interakt, and Respond.io. Most BSPs focus on 1:1 messaging, not multi-group posting.
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WhatsApp Groups API
An official Meta API for creating and managing small API-based groups. Strictly limited to 8 participants per group, invite-only, and cannot access or post into existing large consumer groups. Part of the Cloud API Business Platform. Requires an Official Business Account (OBA). You can manage up to 10,000 groups per phone number.
OBA (Official Business Account)
A Meta-verified WhatsApp business account obtained through Meta Business verification. Required for using the Groups API and certain advanced Business Platform features. Verification confirms business identity with Meta.
Template Message
A pre-approved message format required for outbound marketing messages via the Cloud API. Must be submitted to Meta for approval before use. Structured with optional header, body text, footer, and buttons. Template rejections are common — Meta enforces strict quality rules. Can include variables for personalization.
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24-Hour Window
The time period after a customer messages your business during which you can send free-form messages via Cloud API without using templates. Lets you have natural conversations. After 24 hours without customer response, you must use approved templates to re-engage. Also called the customer service window.
Quality Rating
Meta's assessment of your business messaging quality on Cloud API. Based on user feedback signals like blocks, reports, and message response patterns. Ratings are Green (high quality), Yellow (medium), or Red (low). Poor ratings restrict your messaging limits and can lead to number suspension. Check in Meta Business Manager.
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Messaging Limits / Tiers
Daily messaging limits on Cloud API that scale based on your phone number's tier and quality rating. Starts at Tier 1, progresses through higher tiers with good performance, and can reach unlimited. Limits reset daily. Quality rating issues can cause tier drops.
Opt-in
Explicit consent from a user to receive messages from your business via Cloud API. Required by Meta policy before sending marketing messages. Must be clear, documented, and verifiable. Cannot be implied or assumed. Violation risks account suspension. Obtain through forms, checkboxes, or keyword replies.
Pacing
Spreading message sends over time with delays between sends, rather than sending all at once. Essential for multi-group campaigns to maintain account health, respect community norms, and avoid appearing spammy. Professional multi-group tools build pacing controls in; with extensions or DIY approaches you manage it manually.
Throttling
Rate limiting message sends to avoid triggering spam filters, platform restrictions, or overwhelming recipients. Similar to pacing. Can be platform-imposed (Meta limits) or self-imposed (your sending strategy). Important for account health in multi-group scenarios.
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Multi-Number Distribution
Using multiple WhatsApp numbers to distribute campaign sends across accounts. Reduces load on any single number, provides redundancy if one number has issues, and can increase total sending capacity. Requires managing multiple accounts or using a platform with multi-number support.
Group Admin
A participant with elevated permissions in a WhatsApp group. Can add/remove members, change group name and settings, promote other members to admin, send messages in announcement-only groups, and delete anyone's messages. Groups must have at least one admin. Original group creator is first admin.
Invite Link
A shareable URL that lets anyone with the link join a WhatsApp group without admin approval. Format: chat.whatsapp.com/[unique-code]. Can be reset by admins if compromised or shared unwanted. Useful for open communities, risky for private groups.
Group Collections
Organized sets of WhatsApp groups segmented by criteria like client, region, campaign type, or audience. Used in multi-group management platforms to target specific subsets of your group network. Enables sending to "all client A groups" or "all East region groups" without manual selection each time.
Multi-Group Campaign
Sending one coordinated message into many existing WhatsApp groups your numbers are in. All group members see the post in their group chat. Different from broadcast lists (1:1 individual messages) and Cloud API campaigns (also 1:1 template messages to contacts).
Account Health
The overall standing of your WhatsApp account based on usage patterns, user reports, blocks, and spam signals. Poor account health leads to restrictions (throttling, messaging limits) or outright bans. Monitored by Meta for Cloud API users; consumer accounts also face restrictions for abuse.
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Group Description
Text at the top of a WhatsApp group explaining its purpose, rules, or context. Visible to all members when they tap group info. Can be edited by admins. Useful for setting expectations and providing contact info or guidelines.
Group Subject
The name of a WhatsApp group displayed at the top of the chat and in chat lists. Can be edited by admins (or all participants if admins allow). Limited to 25 characters. Changes notify all members.
Disappearing Messages
A privacy setting that automatically deletes messages from a chat or group after a set duration (24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days). Can be enabled by admins in groups. Once enabled, applies to all new messages but not past ones. Recipients can still screenshot or save media before deletion.
Business Profile
Information displayed on a WhatsApp Business account including business name, category, description, address, hours, website, and email. Visible when customers tap your business name. Required setup step for WhatsApp Business app. Can also be configured via Cloud API.
Catalog
A product showcase feature in WhatsApp Business that lets businesses display products with images, prices, descriptions, and links. Available in WhatsApp Business app and via Cloud API. Customers can browse and inquire about products directly in chat. Limited to 500 products in the app.
Quick Replies
Saved message shortcuts in WhatsApp Business app for frequently sent responses like "Thanks for your message" or FAQs. Triggered with "/" commands. Saves typing time for common replies. Different from Cloud API message templates which require Meta approval.
Away Message
Automated response in WhatsApp Business app sent when you're unavailable. Can be scheduled for specific hours (e.g., outside business hours) or days. Lets customers know when to expect a reply. Only available in Business app, not Cloud API.
Greeting Message
Automated first message sent to new customers who message your WhatsApp Business for the first time. Only sent once per contact. Good for setting expectations and providing initial information. Available in Business app; Cloud API uses chatbots or templates instead.
Phone Number Tier
Cloud API phone numbers start at Tier 1 and scale up based on message quality and volume. Each tier has daily conversation limits: Tier 1 = 1K, Tier 2 = 10K, Tier 3 = 100K, Unlimited tier possible with verification. Quality ratings affect tier progression and can cause tier drops.
Conversation Window
A 24-hour period that starts when a business sends a template or a customer sends a message on Cloud API. Meta moved from conversation-based billing (where multiple messages within 24 hours counted as one conversation) to per-message pricing on July 1, 2025.
WhatsApp Web
Browser-based version of WhatsApp (web.whatsapp.com) that mirrors your phone's account. Used by some multi-group tools for Web-based automation since it provides more access than Cloud API for group posting.
Learn More
Core Multi-Group Guide
How to Send Bulk Messages to Multiple WhatsApp Groups →WhatsApp Communities
WhatsApp Communities for Bulk Messaging →API Limits
WhatsApp Groups API Limits Explained →All Guides
Browse all guides →Ready to manage your group network?
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