Skip to content
CognizyCognizyHelp
Sign in

How to create a WhatsApp message template and send it for Meta's approval

Create an official WhatsApp message template and send it for Meta's approval. Only with an approved template can you message a customer outside the 24-hour window.

2 min readBasicUpdated on November 12, 2026

Where to find it in Cognizy

DivulgarCampanhas de mensagensModelos de mensagem

Open in CognizyOpens the screen in Cognizy. Sign in if asked.

Video lesson coming soon. For now, follow the steps below.

On this page

On the official WhatsApp, a business can only start a conversation, or resume one after 24 hours without a customer reply, using a message template approved by Meta. You write the template in Cognizy, submit it for review, and once it's approved, you can use it in campaigns, reminders, and new conversations. The same setup is also available at Settings › Channels › WhatsApp Templates, under the New template button.

Where to find it in Cognizy

DivulgarCampanhas de mensagensModelos de mensagem

Open in CognizyOpens the screen in Cognizy. Sign in if asked.

Before you start

  • You need an official WhatsApp number (Meta API) connected at Settings › Channels › WhatsApp. Numbers connected via QR Code don't use approved templates.
  • Only the owner and admins can submit templates to Meta.
  • Meta reviews the template on its own, and the response can take up to 24 hours.
  • Write clear text, without exaggerated promises or excessive capital letters: this often leads to rejection.

Step by step

  1. Step 1:

    In the menu, under Promote, click Message Campaigns.

  2. Step 2:

    At the top of the screen, click Message Templates.

  3. Step 3:

    Click New template.

  4. Step 4:

    Under General Information, give the template a Name, in lowercase letters with underscores instead of spaces (this is the format Meta accepts). Leave the channel as WhatsApp and check the Language.

  5. Step 5:

    Under Content, write the Message body. To insert the customer's name or another piece of changing data, click Variables. Header, footer, and buttons are optional. The Preview next to it shows how the customer will see it.

  6. Step 6:

    Click Create template. The template is saved in Cognizy, but it hasn't been sent to Meta yet.

  7. Step 7:

    In the list, on the template's card, click Send to Meta.

  8. Step 8:

    The template now shows Meta: Under review. Once Meta responds, the status changes to Approved or Rejected. To check for a response right away, click Sync with Meta.

How to know it worked

The template card shows Meta: Under review and, once Meta responds, Meta: Approved. From that point on, the template is available to choose in campaigns and when starting a conversation.

If something goes wrong

A warning appears asking you to connect an official WhatsApp number.

The business only has a number connected via QR Code. Connect a number through Meta's official API at Settings › Channels › WhatsApp and try again.

Meta rejected the template name.

Use only lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores, with no spaces or accents. Example: confirmacao_de_matricula.

The template was rejected.

Open the template, adjust the text, and resend it. Avoid excessive capital letters, exaggerated promises, and text that starts or ends with a variable.

A day has passed and it's still Under review.

Click Sync with Meta to check the status. If it still shows the same status, check the template in WhatsApp Manager, in your Meta account.

I have more than one official number.

Cognizy asks which number to send it to. The template applies to all numbers under the same Meta account it was created in.

Next step

Track the approval status at Settings › Channels › WhatsApp Templates.

Sign in with your Cognizy account to save your progress.

Sign in

Was this article helpful?