How to Apply for the WhatsApp Green Tick (Blue Tick)
The green checkmark next to a business's name on WhatsApp — what many users call "blue tick" — is Meta's Official Business Account (OBA) badge. It's free, but Meta is strict about who gets it. This guide walks you through the exact application flow, what evidence Meta actually looks at, how to write a brand case that has a chance, and what to do if you're rejected.
The application walkthrough
Confirm the prerequisites
You can't apply for OBA until two things are true:
- Your Business Portfolio is verified by Meta. See our business verification guide if you haven't done that yet.
- Your WhatsApp display name is final and matches what customers will recognize. Changing the display name after OBA approval triggers re-review.
Build your brand notability evidence
The application asks for URLs that prove your brand is publicly notable. The stronger and more diverse your evidence, the higher your chances. Gather:
- 4-6 news articles from reputable outlets — TechCrunch, Inc42, Entrackr, Mint, ET, YourStory, Forbes India, etc. Press releases on your own blog don't count.
- Official social media accounts on Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube. Higher follower counts and active posting help.
- Wikipedia article, if your brand has one.
- Awards / industry recognition — Crunchbase profile, industry rankings, certifications.
- Your registered website — must clearly identify the business and be operational.
Pro tip: if you don't have news coverage yet, that's your real bottleneck, not the OBA form. Invest a quarter into PR — guest posts, product launch coverage, founder interviews — and reapply.
Open WhatsApp Manager
Go to business.facebook.com/wa/manage and select your WABA. In the left sidebar click Phone Numbers, then click on the specific number you want OBA-verified.
If you operate multiple numbers, you apply for OBA on each one separately. Most businesses only apply for their primary customer-facing number.
Open the Official Business Account form
On the phone number's detail page, click Settings → Profile. Scroll to the bottom and you'll see Apply for Official Business Account. Click it.
If you don't see this option, your business isn't verified yet — go back to step 1.
Fill the application carefully
Meta's form asks for:
- Public-facing brand name — what customers call you, not the legal entity name. "Acme", not "Acme Technologies Private Limited".
- Category — pick the most accurate one. Stretching the truth here will get you rejected.
- Business case (1-2 paragraphs) — explain why customers benefit from knowing this account is genuine. Lead with brand recognition, scale, and any history of impersonation attempts.
- Evidence URLs — paste 4-6 strong links. Quality > quantity.
The business case is where most applications underperform. Don't describe what your business does — Meta can find that on your website. Describe why your brand is publicly notable and why customers would benefit from the badge. Two paragraphs, specific evidence, no fluff.
Submit and track
Submit and the status appears as "Pending review" in WhatsApp Manager. Meta typically responds in 2-3 weeks. Sometimes faster, sometimes slower — there's no SLA and no escalation path.
Watch your business email tied to the Meta account; if Meta needs additional information, they'll ask via email and pause the clock until you respond.
What happens next
If approved ✓
The green checkmark appears next to your business name immediately for all customers. There's nothing more for you to do. Your messaging tier, conversation pricing, and template rules don't change — but anecdotally we see read rates lift 5-15% from the trust signal.
You'll keep OBA as long as you operate normally. Don't change your display name without re-verification, and don't violate WhatsApp commerce policies.
If rejected ✗
Meta usually doesn't share specific reasons. The most common ones: not enough press coverage, low social media presence, generic brand identity, business name doesn't match registered entity, category mismatch.
You can reapply after about 30 days. Don't resubmit the same application — invest in building more notability evidence first (PR, social, certifications) and present a stronger case. Most successful applicants get OBA on their 2nd or 3rd attempt, not their 1st.
Frequently asked questions
Is the WhatsApp 'blue tick' the same as the 'green tick'?
Yes. Meta uses a green checkmark on WhatsApp, but many people call it 'blue tick' because of Twitter / X. The official term is the Official Business Account (OBA) badge. We use both names throughout this guide because both queries land here.
Is the green tick free?
Yes. Meta does not charge for OBA verification. Anyone offering a 'guaranteed green tick for ₹X' is misleading you — they can help you write a better application, but no third party can guarantee approval. The decision is Meta's alone.
What are my realistic chances?
Honestly low for SMBs. Meta reserves the OBA badge for businesses with significant brand recognition — established consumer brands, well-known D2C companies, publicly listed firms, large institutions. If you've raised funding rounds covered in TechCrunch / Entrackr / Inc42, or have 50k+ Instagram followers, or you're a household name in your category, you have a real shot. Without those, the application is usually rejected with no specific reason.
Do I need business verification first?
Yes — non-negotiable. The OBA application form won't even open until your Business Portfolio is verified by Meta. If you haven't done that yet, see our business verification guide first.
What if I'm rejected?
Meta lets you reapply after about 30 days. Use the time to build more notability evidence — get news coverage, expand social media presence, get listed in industry publications. Reapplying with the same evidence will get the same answer. Most successful applicants are approved on their second or third attempt, not the first.
What changes when I get the green tick?
Visually, customers see a green checkmark next to your business name in their WhatsApp inbox. Functionally — nothing changes for messaging. Your messaging tier, conversation pricing, template rules, and limits are exactly the same. The badge is purely a trust signal that improves how your messages are perceived and (anecdotally) lifts read rates by 5-15%.
How long does Meta take to review?
Usually 2-3 weeks. Some decisions come within days; some sit for over a month. There is no escalation path — you cannot speed it up with Meta or your BSP. Plan around the assumption that it takes a month.
Can I lose the green tick after I get it?
Yes, but it's rare. Meta can revoke OBA if you change display names without re-verification, get flagged for policy violations, or if your brand notability declines significantly. As long as you operate normally and don't violate WhatsApp commerce policies, you keep it.
Do I need to be a public-facing brand to apply?
Yes, effectively. B2B SaaS companies that mostly operate in private deal flow rarely qualify even if they're large. The green tick is about customer-facing trust — Meta wants to see that average consumers would benefit from knowing your account is genuine.
Can my BSP / Zaptilo submit on my behalf?
We can help you prepare the strongest possible application — review your brand case, suggest evidence sources you might have missed, sanity-check the business name and category — but the actual submission has to come from someone with admin access to your Business Portfolio. Email connect@zaptilo.ai if you want a pre-flight review before you submit.