Ads that open WhatsApp: how to create them from WhatsApp Business and what customers see when they message you
From WhatsApp Business on the web you can create Facebook and Instagram ads that open a chat with you: you pick photos, text, audience, daily budget and duration. Review usually takes up to 24 hours and results often improve after the first two days. When someone taps the ad, they see your name, image, the year you joined and your greeting message.
Updated: October 9, 2026
How do I create a WhatsApp ad from WhatsApp Business?
In WhatsApp Business on the web tap the Ads icon or Tools > Advertise > Create ad, add photos, write the description, choose the audience, placements, daily budget, duration and payment, and tap Create ad.
How long does ad approval take?
Usually up to 24 hours. While your ad account is in review you can't create new ads.
What does the customer see when they tap the ad?
A chat with your business opens showing your name, image, the year you joined WhatsApp Business, your Facebook and Instagram follower counts if linked, and your greeting message.
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Before you spend a dollar: checklist
Create your ad step by step
Create an ad from WhatsApp Business
Illustrative recreation based on the WhatsApp Help Center (checked October 9, 2026). Menus can vary by app version and country.
What customers see when they tap the ad
Press play. First they see your business card and greeting message; what happens next depends on how fast you reply.
On WhatsApp Business since 2021 · 12.4K Instagram followers
Illustrative recreation based on the WhatsApp Help Center (checked October 9, 2026). Menus can vary by app version and country.
Budget and expectations
- You set the daily budget and duration; the total is budget × days.
- Results often improve after the first two days: don't switch the ad off on day one.
- You can also create ads from your archived status updates.
- Ads must follow Meta's advertising policies and WhatsApp Business policies.
The most expensive mistake: paying for chats nobody answers
A working ad brings lots of chats at once, often at night. If you take hours to reply, you paid for customers who bought elsewhere. An AI assistant answers every ad chat in seconds and your team closes from one shared inbox.
Ideas to sell more on WhatsApp, in your inbox
What's new in WhatsApp and Meta, AI for business, sales and marketing, with verified data and ready-made templates. Free, no spam, unsubscribe in one click.
We'll email you to confirm. Read our privacy notice.
Sources
WhatsApp Help Center: create ads on WhatsApp Business · how your business appears in ad chats · status archive. Checked October 9, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Facebook account to advertise from WhatsApp Business?
In the app you can switch between your WhatsApp and Facebook accounts when creating the ad; ads show on Facebook and Instagram.
How much should I spend?
You decide with the daily budget and duration. Start with an amount you can sustain for at least a week.
Why was my ad rejected?
For breaking Meta's advertising policies or WhatsApp Business policies. Check the reason in the app and fix it.
How is the ad charged?
Through the daily budget and duration you choose, to the payment method you add when creating the ad.
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