How can I manage WhatsApp user consent (opt-in) and avoid spam issues using Pushwoosh Journeys?

To ensure your WhatsApp campaigns are successful and comply with Meta's policies, it's crucial to get explicit user consent (opt-in) and manage how you communicate. Pushwoosh Journeys are the perfect tool for automating this process.

Creating a WhatsApp Opt-In Journey

Here is a highly recommended best practice for building an automated opt-in flow:

1. Start the Journey: Use an Audience-based Entry element to target your desired users (e.g., new users).
2. Send the Consent Request: Add a "Send WhatsApp" element and use an approved Meta template that includes Quick Reply buttons. For example, your message could be: > "Would you like to receive marketing updates and special offers from us? Please choose an option below." > - Button 1: "Yes, I agree" > - Button 2: "No, thanks"
3. Tag Users Based on Their Reply: Connect the Quick Reply buttons to different branches in your Journey.
   • For "Yes, I agree": Connect this branch to a Set Tags element to apply a tag like whatsapp_opt_in: true.
   • For "No, thanks": Connect this branch to a Set Tags element to apply a tag like whatsapp_opt_out: true. You can also simply end the journey for them with an Exit element.
4. Target Future Campaigns: For all future marketing Journeys, use the Audience-based Entry element to target only users with the whatsapp_opt_in: true tag. This ensures you only send messages to users who have given you permission.

Best Practices for Avoiding Spam Flags

Beyond managing opt-ins, follow these guidelines to maintain a high-quality rating for your phone number with Meta:

• Use Approved Templates: All business-initiated conversations must start with a pre-approved message template from your WhatsApp Business Manager.
• Respect the 24-Hour Window: Once a user replies, you have a 24-hour window to send free-form (non-template) messages. After this window closes, you must use an approved template to re-initiate the conversation.
• Control Message Frequency: While channel-specific Frequency Capping for WhatsApp is not available in global settings, you can control the sending rate within your Journeys. Use the Time Delay element between messages to avoid overwhelming users.
• Segment Your Audience: Use precise targeting with tags and the Segment Split element to ensure your messages are relevant to the audience receiving them.