Broadcasts let you send one message to many contacts. On the official Cloud API they use templates approved by Meta. Before your first broadcast, understand the 24-hour window.
The 24-hour window
- When a customer messages you, a 24-hour window opens. Inside it you can reply freely, and these customer-service replies are free.
- After 24 hours without a message from the customer, or to start a conversation yourself, you must use a template approved by Meta.
- Templates have a category: marketing, utility (for example an order update) or authentication (codes). Meta charges per template message, by category and the recipient's country, billed directly to you at Meta's price. Zapstro adds no markup.
Templates
Templates belong to your WhatsApp Business account and must be approved by Meta before use. You can create and submit them in Meta's WhatsApp Manager; once approved, they're available to choose in Zapstro.
- Pick the right category; a promotion sent as "utility" is likely to be rejected or recategorised.
- Use variables (such as the customer's name) with clear example values.
- Be clear about who you are and give people a way to stop receiving messages.
Meta decides on approval and delivery; nobody can guarantee them. If a template is rejected, see Troubleshooting.
Send a broadcast
- Set the goal. One sentence: what result and what action you expect.
- Check the channel. Make sure the connection is connected and, on the Cloud API, that your Meta payment method is set up.
- Create the broadcast. Open Broadcasts and create a new one. Choose the type (Cloud, Cloud + spreadsheet, or Lite), then the connection, audience, content, schedule and sending limits.
- Choose the audience. Use tags, lists or objective filters. Remove duplicates and anyone who hasn't given consent.
- Test. Send it to one authorised number first. Check variables, links and how your business is identified.
- Schedule or send. Review the count, time, audience and content on the final confirmation.
- Follow up. Compare selected, processed, delivered, failed and replies. A finished broadcast doesn't mean every message was delivered: open the details and handle recoverable failures.
Tips
- Send at reasonable local times for your audience.
- Use a moderate pace and sending limits instead of blasting everyone at once.
- Replies to a broadcast open a new 24-hour window, so be ready to answer (your AI agent can help).
Every plan includes broadcasts with official templates. Contacts and messages are unlimited on every plan; only Meta's fees apply.