Skip to main content

Setup Click-to-WhatsApp Ads (CTWA)

Click-to-WhatsApp ads (CTWA) are Facebook and Instagram ads with a button that opens a WhatsApp chat with your business. The chat arrives in your Team Inbox, where your chatbot or team can reply straight away.

First, make sure the WABA is connected to the Facebook page that will be used for this Ad.

Here are two methods to setup Click-to-WhatsApp Ads (CTWA).​

1. Boost Post to Setup Click-to-WhatsApp ads​

Use the Boost Post option to create Click-to-WhatsApp ads directly from:

  1. Your Meta Business Account

  2. A Facebook Page post

  3. An Instagram post

  4. Meta Business Account:

(i) Go to the Meta Business Account

(ii) Choose the Facebook or Instagram post and Click the Boost button to setup the Click-to-WhatsApp ad

Meta Business Suite Posts and reels list with the Boost button under a post

(iii) Ad Campaign Setup:​

Choose a campaign objective

The Boost post page with the Automatic - Get more messages goal, the Send message button label and the ad preview with a WhatsApp button

(iv) Connect WhatsApp Account:​

Choose the Messaging app to WhatsApp option and Choose your WhatsApp business number

info

Once you have already linked your WhatsApp Number (WABA) to your Facebook page, the connected number will automatically appear for selection.

(or)

If not Link your WhatsApp Business account, Just click the "Connect Account" button to enter the phone number and verify it through a confirmation code.

The Apps section of Boost post with WhatsApp ticked, a connected number selected and the Add new number button

(v) Target Audience: Define your target audience based on location, interests, and demographics

(vi) Budget and Schedule: Set your budget and schedule how long you want to run ad.

(vii) Review and Publish: Double-check all the details and Click "Publish" to launch your Click-to-WhatsApp ad campaign.

The Audience, Schedule and duration and Budget sections of Boost post with the Publish button

2. Facebook Page Post:​

(i) Open your Facebook page choose the post you want to run Click-to-WhatsApp ad

(ii) Click the Boost button to setup the ad

A Facebook Page post with the Boost a post button

Follow the same steps outlined in the Meta Business Account section to set up a Click-to-WhatsApp ad for a Facebook Page post.

3. Instagram Post:​

(i) Open your Instagram account and select the post you want to run Click-to-WhatsApp ad

(ii) Click the Boost button to setup the ad

(iii) Choose the ad engagement type as the "Message you" option and Click the Next button to continue.

An Instagram post in the Instagram app with the Boost post button
The Goal step in the Instagram app with Message you selected and the Next button

(iv) Connect WhatsApp Account:

(v) Target Audience:

(vi) Budget and Schedule:

(vii) Review and Publish:

To set up a Click-to-WhatsApp ad for an Instagram post, follow the same steps outlined in the Meta Business Account section.

Message goal setup in the Instagram app with Add WhatsApp Business and the Save button
Connect Your WhatsApp Business Account in the Instagram app with a number selected and the Send Code button
Create audience in the Instagram app with the estimated audience size, location and minimum age
The Review step in the Instagram app with the goal, audience, budget and the Boost post button

2. To create Click-to-WhatsApp ads using Ads Manager​

  1. Go to the Facebook Ads Manager
  2. Click the "Create" button to start your ad campaign. Enter the name of your campaign to proceed.
  3. Choose a campaign objective and Click the "Continue" button.
Create new campaign in Ads Manager with the Engagement objective selected and the Continue button
  1. Connect WhatsApp Account:

Choose the Messaging app to WhatsApp option and Choose your WhatsApp business number

(i) Once you have already linked your WhatsApp Number (WABA) to your Facebook page, the connected number will automatically appear for selection.

(or)

(ii) If not Link your WhatsApp Business account, Just click the "Connect Account" button to enter the phone number and verify it through a confirmation code.

info

You can connect a maximum of 50 WhatsApp numbers per Facebook Page. Edit number connections in your Facebook Page settings under Linked accounts.

The Messaging apps section of an Ads Manager ad set with WhatsApp ticked, a number selected and Connect another number
  1. Configure Ad Settings:

(i) Choose your ad placements, budget and schedule.

(ii) Define your target audience based on location, demographics and interests.

(iii) Click on the "Next" button.

The Performance goal and Budget and schedule sections of an Ads Manager ad set with the Next button
  1. Setup Ad Creative:

(i) Add attention-grabbing visuals and compelling ad copy.

(ii) Ensure the Call-to-action button directs to WhatsApp

The Select media crop for placements dialog in Ads Manager while setting up the ad creative
  1. Review and Publish:

(i) Double-check your ad settings and preview the ad.

(ii) Click "Publish" to launch your Click-to-WhatsApp ad campaign.

The Ad creative section in Ads Manager with the ad preview showing a WhatsApp button and the Publish button

Track ad leads in Whautomate​

In the Team Inbox, the contact panel shows Source: Ads/Posts with the Ad Id for chats that came from an ad. The ad click is also saved on the contact in three custom fields: ctwa_clid (the click ID), ctwa_clicked_at and ctwa_source_id (the ad ID). The latest click wins. Use them to:

  • Build a segment or automation condition for people who came from ads.
  • Send conversions back to Meta from a webhook action, using variables such as contact.customFields.ctwa_clid. The incoming WhatsApp message webhook also includes the ad fields.
Last updated on