Last updated · reviewed by the Essentras editorial team
WhatsApp Business guide
How to get the green tick on WhatsApp Business
Meta's documentation now describes a blue checkmark, not the green tick older guides mention. Businesses get it 2 ways: Meta Verified in the WhatsApp Business app, from $14.99 a month per number, or Official Business Account status on the WhatsApp Business Platform, after 30 days, Business Verification, two-step verification and an approved display name. Meta decides.
Meta's developer documentation, pricing and WhatsApp Business pages, read on that date
What you will do
- Pick your route: the WhatsApp Business app or the WhatsApp Business Platform.
- Check the rules Meta publishes for each route, as they read on 19 Oct 2026.
- Request Official Business Account status step by step, or subscribe to Meta Verified.
- Tell the business badge apart from channel badges, Business Verification and display name approval.
- Avoid fake green tick offers and the mistakes that get requests denied.
Start here in 1 click
Find the line that describes how you use WhatsApp. It gives your route, where to start and what Meta charges.
| If you... | Your route | Where to start | Price, as Meta publishes it | Who decides |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Use the WhatsApp Business app on your phone | Meta Verified for business, or a Meta One plan that includes the verified badge | In the app: Meta One sits in your chat list or the Tools tab | From $14.99 a month per number; Meta One plans with the badge were listed from $14.99 to $499 a month on 15 Oct 2026 | Meta, based on eligibility and your business activity |
| Send messages through the WhatsApp Business Platform, with the Cloud API or a provider | Official Business Account status for the business phone number | WhatsApp Manager: Overview, your number, Profile, Official business account | No fee stated for the request | Meta |
| Run a WhatsApp channel for your business | Verified channels, included in Meta Verified for business plans | With your Meta Verified for business subscription | 1, 3, 5 or 10 verified channels, depending on the plan | Meta |
| Use the regular WhatsApp app for your business | No business badge yet: move the number to the WhatsApp Business app first | The WhatsApp Business app, which Meta says stays free | $0 for the app | You |
On the Platform? Go straight to the steps: Official Business Account in 9 steps
Green or blue
Green tick or blue checkmark: what the WhatsApp badge means today
Most guides still call it the green tick. Meta's documentation for Official Business Accounts now describes a blue checkmark beside the business name, and Meta Verified for business shows a verified badge on the profile, the chat header and the channel.
What Meta says it means
Meta describes the Meta Verified badge as showing "you are who you say you are" and that your business "is authenticated by Meta".
What Meta does not say
None of the pages we read promises more reach, better delivery or cheaper messages. Treat the badge as proof of identity, not a growth tool.
Who grants it
Meta, through the 2 routes on this page. A Business Solution Provider can help you request Official Business Account status; only Meta grants it.
Where it shows
Beside the business name in the contacts view for an Official Business Account; on the business profile, chat header and channel for Meta Verified for business.
A note on older guides
The Official Business Account page we read on 19 Oct 2026 lists 5 criteria and does not mention notability, news articles or supporting links. Many third-party guides still describe a notability test with press coverage. Follow Meta’s current page, and expect Meta to judge each request itself.
2 routes compared
Meta Verified in the app vs Official Business Account on the Platform
Both routes end with a badge that Meta grants. They differ in who they are for, what they cost and what Meta checks.
| Question | Meta Verified for business (WhatsApp Business app) | Official Business Account (WhatsApp Business Platform) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Businesses using the WhatsApp Business app | Businesses messaging through the Cloud API, directly or through a Business Solution Provider |
| Price | From $14.99 a month per number; plans up to $499.99 | No fee stated for the request |
| Main conditions | Selected regions, Meta’s eligibility requirements, and plans shown according to your business activity | 30 days on the Platform, Business Verification, two-step verification, an approved display name, policy compliance |
| Where you apply | In the WhatsApp Business app | WhatsApp Manager, or the Official Business Account Status API |
| Who decides | Meta | Meta |
| After a no | Meta sets eligibility; its WhatsApp eligibility page did not load for our reader | Wait 30 days, then request again |
| Extras | Verified channels, a custom web page, linked devices and priority support, by plan | Discoverability in WhatsApp search |
| Not available to | Businesses outside the selected regions, or without the business activity Meta looks for | Business employees, test accounts and WhatsApp Business app numbers |
Route 1
Route 1: Meta Verified in the WhatsApp Business app
This is the route for most small businesses. You subscribe inside the app, and Meta checks eligibility during sign-up.
- Use the WhatsApp Business app on the business number. Meta says the app stays free and subscriptions are optional.
- Meta One sits in your chat list or the Tools tab of the WhatsApp Business app; Meta’s features page offers Meta Verified with an "Apply now" link.
- Meta decides which plans you see from your business activity, such as profile visits, post engagement, status views and, where legally permitted, message conversations. Not every plan may be open to you.
- Prices are per WhatsApp number, and Meta says plans, benefits and availability may vary by region, app and account.
- Eligible new Meta One subscribers may get a 7-day free trial; the subscription then starts automatically unless cancelled.
- Meta is bringing Meta Verified into Meta One. Current Meta Verified subscribers keep their plans for now and will be told when they can switch.
- The exact eligibility rules are in WhatsApp’s Help Center article on Meta Verified for Business. It did not load for our reader on 19 Oct 2026, so read it in the app before you pay.
Meta Verified for business plans on WhatsApp
| Plan | Price a month | Verified channels | Linked devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Standard | $14.99 | 1 | 4 |
| Business Plus | $49.99 | 3 | 6 |
| Business Premium | $149.99 | 5 | 8 |
| Business Max | $499.99 | 10 | 10 |
Meta One plans with the badge option
| Plan | Price a month | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Meta One Essential | $14.99 | Per profile, or per business Page, profile or WhatsApp Business number |
| Meta One Advanced | $49.99 | Per profile, or per business Page, profile or WhatsApp Business number |
| Meta One Expert | $149 | Per profile, or per business Page, profile or WhatsApp Business number |
| Meta One Max | $499 | Per profile, or per business Page, profile or WhatsApp Business number |
Route 2
Route 2: Official Business Account status, in 9 steps
For businesses on the WhatsApp Business Platform. Every step below comes from Meta’s developer documentation as it read on 19 Oct 2026.
1. Put the number on the Platform
Register the business phone number on the WhatsApp Business Platform through the Cloud API, directly or with a Business Solution Provider. Meta requires at least 30 days on the Platform before you apply.
2. Complete Business Verification
Verify the business portfolio that owns the number. Through a provider, partner-led verification takes up to 3 documents per submission (PDF, JPEG or PNG, up to 5 MB each); after 3 rejected partner submissions, you verify on your own.
3. Get the display name approved
The display name on the number must be approved under Meta’s display name guidelines. Once the number has Official Business Account status, name changes go through Meta’s direct support.
4. Turn on two-step verification
Enable two-step verification on the business phone number before you request. Meta’s own steps start with it.
5. Stay within the Business Messaging Policy
Meta lists compliance with the WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy as the first criterion.
6. Submit the request
In WhatsApp Manager, open Overview and click the business phone number, then Submit Request under Phone numbers, Profile, Official business account.
7. No button? Ask Meta
If you meet the criteria but see no option to apply, Meta says to contact your Meta point of contact, your Solution Provider’s support or Meta Support.
8. Track the decision
Meta notifies you of the decision, and the official_business_account field of the Official Business Account Status API shows where it stands. Meta states no review time.
9. If denied, wait 30 days
A denial means Meta found the account does not meet the requirements at that time. Fix what you can and request again after 30 days; your business profile stays editable meanwhile.
Checklist
Eligibility checklist before you request
Tick every line before you click Submit Request. The first list is Meta’s; the second is worth doing but is not on Meta’s list.
Meta’s criteria
- The number has been on the WhatsApp Business Platform for at least 30 days.
- The business portfolio that owns the number shows Business Verification as complete.
- The display name is approved.
- Two-step verification is on for the number.
- The business follows the WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy.
- The number is not an employee’s number, a test account or a WhatsApp Business app number.
Worth doing, though not on Meta’s list
- Complete the business profile: picture, description, email and website. Meta says these stay editable at any time.
- Link the number from your website, so customers can check it is yours before the badge arrives.
- Keep the business name the same across your website, Business Verification documents and display name, so nothing looks inconsistent to a reviewer.
Some third-party guides still list notability evidence, such as news articles, links or follower counts. Meta’s page did not mention any of them when we read it on 19 Oct 2026.
Channels
Channel verification is a separate badge
WhatsApp channels carry their own verified badge. For businesses, Meta packages it with Meta Verified for business.
Included in business plans
Meta Verified for business plans include 1, 3, 5 or 10 verified channels, depending on the plan.
Where the badge shows
Meta’s pricing page says a WhatsApp subscription shows the verified badge on the business profile, the chat header and the channel.
Separate from the number
The Official Business Account page covers business phone numbers only and does not mention channels.
Creators and public figures
WhatsApp’s Help Center pages on channel verification did not load for our reader on 19 Oct 2026. Check your channel’s settings in the app for the current route.
Want help with a channel application? Essentras has a separate page for it: WhatsApp channel verification
3 things called verification
Business Verification, display names and the badge: different things
Meta uses the word verification for several steps. Only 3 of them put a badge on your business.
| Term | What it is | A public badge? |
|---|---|---|
| Meta Business Verification | A document check of your business portfolio in Meta’s business tools. It is a criterion for Official Business Account status, and it raises your limit of registered phone numbers from 2 to 20. | No |
| Display name approval | Meta’s review of the name shown on your number; a name can be pending review, approved or declined. | No |
| Two-step verification | A PIN that protects the registration of the business phone number. | No |
| Official Business Account | A status Meta grants to a business phone number on the Platform. | Yes: a blue checkmark beside the name in the contacts view |
| Meta Verified for business | A paid subscription for a WhatsApp number, Facebook Page or Instagram account. | Yes: a verified badge on the profile, chat header and channel |
| Meta One | Meta’s newer subscription, which includes a verified badge on the WhatsApp Business app. | Yes, as a plan benefit |
Mistakes and fakes
Fake green ticks and the mistakes that get requests denied
Most denials trace back to a criterion Meta lists. Most scams sell something Meta does not offer.
Applying too early
Official Business Account status needs 30 days on the Platform first.
Using the wrong number
WhatsApp Business app numbers, employees’ numbers and test accounts are not eligible for Official Business Account status.
Skipping Business Verification
The business portfolio that owns the number must be verified before you request.
Two-step verification off
It must be on for the business phone number.
Requesting again at once
After a denial, Meta requires 30 days before another request.
Buying a "green tick"
Only Meta grants the badge, through its subscription or its Official Business Account review. A seller offering an instant tick is not selling anything Meta offers.
Essentras does not sell WhatsApp Business verification. Both routes on this page are Meta’s own, and you can follow them without paying anyone but Meta.
Copy-ready
3 copy-ready texts for the request
Replace everything in [brackets]. None of these is required by Meta; they save time with your provider and your team.
Request to your Business Solution Provider
You reach the Platform through a provider and cannot see the request option.
Subject: Official Business Account request for [business name], [phone number] Hello [provider] support, We would like Official Business Account status for our number [phone number] on the WhatsApp Business Platform. Where we stand on Meta's criteria: - On the Platform since: [date] (30 days or more) - Business Verification of our business portfolio: [complete / pending] - Display name "[display name]": [approved / pending] - Two-step verification on the number: [on / off] - Open policy issues on the account: [none / describe] We do not see the Submit Request option in WhatsApp Manager. Can you check our eligibility with Meta, or submit the request with us? [Name], [role], [business name]
Business profile text
Fill these in before you request, in the app or WhatsApp Manager.
Display name: [your business name, exactly as on your website and business documents] About: [1 line: what you do and where] Description: [2 or 3 sentences: services, hours, how to order, response times you can keep] Address: [street, city, postcode, as on your documents; Meta allows up to 256 characters] Email: [an address on your own domain] Websites: [your homepage]; [a page that shows this WhatsApp number] Category: [the closest industry option offered]
Pre-request checklist for your team
Paste into your project tool before anyone clicks Submit Request.
WhatsApp Official Business Account: pre-request checklist [ ] Number on the WhatsApp Business Platform since [date] (30 days or more) [ ] Business Verification complete for the business portfolio [ ] Display name approved: "[display name]" [ ] Two-step verification on for the number [ ] No open policy issues on the account [ ] Not an employee's personal number, a test number or a WhatsApp Business app number [ ] Business profile complete: picture, description, email, website [ ] Our website shows this WhatsApp number Owner: [name] Request date: [date] If denied, earliest new request: [date + 30 days]
Related help
Related help, all optional
Optional. You can follow every step on this page without buying anything.
Often added
Business Knowledge Panel
$1,200
Own the box Google shows for your brand, so customers can check you are real outside WhatsApp too. Placements are never required for it.
See the panel serviceAI Visibility Tracker
$49 a month
See every week what 7 AI assistants tell customers about your business, with their sources.
Start tracking
Not ready yet?
Knowledge Panel readiness check
$0
An honest read on whether Google can show a panel for your brand today.
Run the readiness checkThe verification map
$0
Every platform’s route, price and rules in 1 table, from the platforms’ own pages.
See the map
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is the WhatsApp verified tick green or blue?▾
Meta’s current developer documentation describes a blue checkmark beside the name of an Official Business Account. Older guides call it the green tick. Meta Verified for business shows a verified badge on the profile, chat header and channel.
How much does WhatsApp Business verification cost?▾
Meta Verified for business costs $14.99, $49.99, $149.99 or $499.99 a month per WhatsApp number, by plan (Meta, 19 Oct 2026). Meta states no fee for requesting Official Business Account status on the Platform.
Can I get the badge on the free WhatsApp Business app?▾
Yes, by subscribing to Meta Verified for business or a Meta One plan with the badge, where Meta offers it to your account. Official Business Account status is not available to WhatsApp Business app numbers.
How long does Official Business Account review take?▾
Meta’s page states no review time. You get a notification with the decision, and you can check the status through the API. If the request is denied, you must wait 30 days to request again.
Do I need news articles to get the WhatsApp badge?▾
Meta’s Official Business Account page, read on 19 Oct 2026, lists 5 criteria and does not mention news articles or notability. For Meta Verified, plan availability depends on your business activity on Meta’s apps.
Why can’t I see the Official Business Account request option?▾
Check the 5 criteria first. If you meet them and still see no option in WhatsApp Manager, Meta says to contact your Meta point of contact, your Solution Provider’s support or Meta Support.
Does the badge improve message delivery or reach?▾
Meta’s pages do not say so. They describe the badge as proof that Meta authenticated your business, and recommend Official Business Account status for discoverability in WhatsApp search.
Is channel verification the same as business verification?▾
No. Verified channels come with Meta Verified for business plans, 1 to 10 by plan, while Official Business Account status applies to a business phone number. Meta Business Verification is a document check of your business portfolio, not a badge.
Can I change my display name after I get the badge?▾
For a number with Official Business Account status, Meta’s display name page says to contact direct support to change the name. Plan the name before you request, and keep it identical to your business documents.
Can an agency get the green tick for me?▾
No outside party can grant it. A Business Solution Provider can help you set up the Platform and request Official Business Account status, but Meta decides. Essentras does not sell WhatsApp Business verification.
Next steps
- 01
Pick your route
The WhatsApp Business app, or the WhatsApp Business Platform.
- 02
Check the criteria
For the Platform: 30 days, Business Verification, two-step verification and an approved display name.
- 03
Request or subscribe
In WhatsApp Manager, or inside the app.
- 04
Complete your profile meanwhile
Picture, description, email and website stay editable whatever the decision.
- 05
If denied, wait 30 days
Fix the cause before you request again.
Need a badge on other platforms too?
Route, price and rules for 10 platforms, from each platform’s own pages.
See the verification map Or your brand’s box on GoogleChecked on . Every rule, price and figure on this page comes from the official pages listed below, read on that date, or from the Essentras price list. Rules change: if a page below disagrees with this guide, the page wins.
Sources
- Meta for Developers: Official Business Accounts, read 19 Oct 2026
- Meta for Developers: business phone numbers on the Cloud API, read 19 Oct 2026
- Meta for Developers: Display names, read 19 Oct 2026
- Meta for Developers: Partner-led business verification, read 19 Oct 2026
- Meta for Business: Meta Verified for businesses (plans and prices), read 19 Oct 2026
- WhatsApp Business: Meta One on WhatsApp Business app, read 19 Oct 2026
- WhatsApp Business: Business app features (Meta Verified), read 19 Oct 2026
- Meta: Meta One plans, read 15 Oct 2026 (Essentras Meta ledger)
- WhatsApp Help Center: eligibility requirements for Meta Verified for Business on WhatsApp (did not load for our reader on 19 Oct 2026)
Essentras is not affiliated with WhatsApp or Meta and does not sell WhatsApp Business verification. Meta grants every badge on this page. Prices are Meta’s US dollar list prices as read on the dates shown; your local price can differ.
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