Create a Message Template

Create and submit a WhatsApp message template for Meta approval, then use it in a campaign.

Last updated September 11, 2026

Overview

A message template is a pre-approved WhatsApp message format that you reuse in campaigns and automations. Every template must be submitted to Meta for review before it can be sent — this guide walks through creating one: naming it, writing the message body, and submitting it for approval.

Before you begin

Your WhatsApp Business number must already be connected.
Decide which category fits your message — Marketing, Utility, or Authentication — since Meta reviews templates differently depending on category.
- Marketing — promotions, announcements, or offers.
- Utility — order updates, reminders, or account notifications.
- Authentication — one-time passcodes or identity verification.
If your message needs to insert dynamic values (a customer's name, an order number), plan out your variables before you start.

Choosing a category

Use for promotions, announcements, or offers. Marketing templates are reviewed most strictly and can't be sent inside a customer service window without one.

Open Templates → Name your template → Write your message → Submit for review.

Open Templates

From the left navigation, click Templates, then click Create Template.

Name your template

Enter a template name

Give the template a name using only lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores, then choose a Category and Language. Pick Standard Template or Carousel Template depending on the format you need.

Naming is internal only

The template name is never shown to recipients — it's only how you identify the template inside Automate AI and in the WhatsApp Manager.

Write your message

Write the body

Enter your message text in the Body field — this is the only required content block. Insert variables using numbered placeholders like {{1}} and {{2}}, or named placeholders like {{customer_name}} and {{order_id}}. You can optionally add a Header (text, image, video, or document) above the body.

Use one variable style per template

Mix numbered and named placeholders in the same template and Meta will reject it — pick one style and use it consistently. If you use any variables, you'll also need to provide an example value for each one so Meta's reviewers can see how the message reads in practice.

Body fieldtext

Hi {{1}}, your order #{{2}} has shipped!
 
— or, using named placeholders instead of numbered —
 
Hi {{customer_name}}, your order #{{order_id}} has shipped!

Submit for review

Review and submit

Check the Template Preview panel on the right to see exactly how the message will render, then click Create Template.

Before you click Create Template

Submitting sends the template to Meta for review under your connected WhatsApp Business Account — this cannot be undone or edited afterward. If it's rejected, you'll need to create a new template rather than fix the existing one.

Expected result

The new template appears in your Templates list with status Pending while Meta reviews it. Once approved, its status changes to Approved and it becomes available to select in the campaign wizard.

Template lifecycle

Drag the boxes or click one to see what each stage means.

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Troubleshooting

The Body field is required and can't be empty. If you added variables, make sure every one of them has an example value filled in as well.

Template fields

Field	Required	Description
Template Name	Required	Lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores only. Internal — recipients never see it.
Category	Required	Marketing, Utility, or Authentication. Affects how Meta reviews the template.
Language	Required	The language the message is written in.
Template Type	Required	Standard Template or Carousel Template.
Header	Optional	An optional title, image, video, or document shown above the body.
Body	Required	The message text. Supports numbered ({{1}}) or named ({{customer_name}}) variables — not both in the same template.
Example Values for Variables	Required if using variables	A sample value for each variable, shown to Meta's reviewers.

Create a CampaignSend a WhatsApp campaign to your contacts: create it, pick a template, choose recipients, and review before sending.Create a ContactAdd a single contact to your account manually.Import ContactsBulk-add or update contacts from a CSV or Excel file.Manage Your ContactsSearch, filter, and take action on your existing contacts.

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