WhatsApp | How to apply for Official Business Account (OBA) status
This article describes how to apply for Official Business Account status. Applications for Meta's Official Business Account must be submitted via Meta Business Manager, meeting strict criteria. Step 1 requires system checks: approved display name, 2FA enabled, and completed business verification. Step 2 demands exactly five unpaid, organic external links proving brand notability, excluding owned sites or paid content. Step 3 involves submitting the request through WhatsApp Manager. Rejections trigger a 30-day cooldown before reapplying.
Application process
Applications for Official Business Account (OBA) status must be submitted directly by you via Whatsapp Manager. Meta is incredibly strict with these approvals, so it is highly recommended to ensure you meet all criteria, before submitting an application, to avoid an automatic rejection.
Step 1: Mandatory system checks
Please ensure the following are fully set up and greenlit in Whatsapp Manager:
Display Name approved
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) enabled on your Meta Business account
Business Verification completed
Note: Verification is a prerequisite, but does not guarantee OBA approval.
Step 2: Gather your 5 supporting links
Meta now strictly requires 5 external links proving your brand's organic "notability".
- What IS accepted: Unpaid, organic news articles, press coverage, or Wikipedia pages about your brand from the last 12 months.
- What IS NOT accepted: Your own website, social media profiles, paid/sponsored press releases, or blog posts.
- If your brand is a subsidiary, please ensure the articles establish a clear connection between your public parent company and the specific brand name you are verifying.
Step 3: How to submit
When you are ready, follow these steps in Whatsapp Manager:
- Go to WhatsApp Accounts > WhatsApp Manager.
- Navigate to Phone Numbers > Profile.
- Click Submit Request under Official Business Account.
Important Warning: If Meta rejects your application, there is a strict 30-day cooldown period before you can apply or appeal again. Because of this, please ensure your 5 links are incredibly solid before submitting your application.
Denied requests
If your Official Business Account (OBA) application is denied, please review the following common reasons before submitting an appeal or taking further action. Please note that not every business or brand will be approved for OBA status. This is normal and does not necessarily indicate an issue with your WhatsApp setup or business verification. OBA approval is subject to Meta's review and eligibility criteria and cannot be guaranteed.
Common reasons for rejection
Brand representation: Ensure that the display name clearly represents the brand and is consistent with how the business is publicly known. This includes checking for potential mismatches between the legal business name and the brand name.
Public presence and notability: Make sure the business has a strong public presence and that all 5 supporting links clearly reference the brand being verified. Company-owned websites, social media profiles, paid content, or articles that do not clearly mention the brand are not sufficient.
Existing OBA: Check whether an Official Business Account already exists for the same business on another WABA or phone number. If applicable, make sure the relationship between the business, brand, and existing account is clearly established.
Appeals process
If an application is rejected through the self-serve flow, an appeal can be submitted via our Technical Support team by creating a Meta Support ticket on your behalf. Before requesting an appeal, please ensure that the eligibility requirements have been reviewed and that all supporting information is complete and accurate.
Information required for appeal submission
Please provide the following information when submitting an appeal through Technical Support:
WABA ID
Phone Number
5 supporting links: Provide the same 5 recent, unpaid and organic external publications used to support the OBA application.
System Checks Confirmation: Confirm that the Display Name is approved, Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is enabled on the Meta Business account, and Business Verification has been completed.
Note: Providing complete and accurate information upfront helps avoid delays and ensures that the appeal can be reviewed with all relevant details available.
Important: A rejected OBA application is subject to Meta's applicable reapplication or appeal restrictions. Do not submit a new application until the relevant cooldown period has expired.