Do I need a Twilio account for WhatsApp?
Yes. Engage submits templates to Meta and sends messages through your own Twilio account.
WhatsApp campaigns with Meta-approved templates
Write WhatsApp templates in Purple Engage, submit them to Meta through Twilio, track their approval and send campaigns once they pass. Each message is one Action, with no Purple markup.
How do WhatsApp campaigns work in Engage?
Template first. Business messages on WhatsApp start from a template Meta has approved, so you write the template in Engage, submit it to Meta through your Twilio account and track its approval there. Once Meta approves it, you send campaigns with it.
- Write WhatsApp templatesStatus: Beta
- Submit them to Meta through TwilioStatus: Beta
- Track approvalStatus: Beta
- Send campaignsStatus: Beta
What happens if Meta pauses a template?
The campaign that uses it pauses too, so Engage does not keep sending a template Meta has paused. Template status is tracked in Engage, so you can see when it changes.
- A paused template pauses its campaignStatus: Beta
Who bills for WhatsApp messages?
Twilio, on your own account. Engage sends WhatsApp through the Twilio account you connect, the same way it sends SMS. Each message is one Action on your Engage plan, and Purple adds no markup: Twilio bills the message itself at its own price.
- One Action per message, with no Purple markup. Twilio bills the message on your own accountStatus: Beta
Which countries can I send WhatsApp campaigns to?
Every country, through your own Twilio account, with one exception. Meta does not allow WhatsApp marketing templates to be sent to US phone numbers, and Engage enforces this, so a marketing template is never sent to a US number.
- Every country, through your own Twilio accountStatus: Beta
- No marketing templates to US numbers, as Meta requiresStatus: Beta
Can I use WhatsApp in journeys?
Not yet. WhatsApp steps in journeys, WhatsApp spend caps and WhatsApp offer links are on the roadmap. For now WhatsApp is for campaigns you send to a segment, and journeys send email and SMS at each step.
- WhatsApp steps in journeysStatus: On the roadmap
- WhatsApp spend capsStatus: On the roadmap
- WhatsApp offer linksStatus: On the roadmap
Questions
Can I send WhatsApp marketing to US numbers?
No. Meta does not allow WhatsApp marketing templates to US phone numbers, and Engage enforces this.
Can I cap what I spend on WhatsApp?
Not yet. WhatsApp spend caps are on the roadmap. SMS spend caps are in Beta.
Can journeys send WhatsApp messages?
Not yet. A WhatsApp step in journeys is on the roadmap.
Is WhatsApp in Purple Engage available now?
WhatsApp campaigns are in Beta: built, and being tested ahead of general release.
Connect Twilio and write your first template
The free plan includes 500 Actions a month and unlimited contacts, with no card needed.