Message Templates - Compliance with the New Authentication Category Rules January 11, 2024 16:52 Updated Index: Introduction What are authentication templates? What changes with the new guidelines for creating and using Message Templates? What do I need to do to adapt my authentication templates to the new guidelines for creating and using Message Templates? Complementary articles Introduction With the new pricing model (effective from June 1st), WhatsApp has also established new guidelines for creating and using Message Templates in the authentication category. Note: With the new guidelines, it will not be possible to use the old templates; instead, it will be necessary to create new templates in alignment with the updated guidelines. By October 2nd, 2023, all clients will need to transition from the old templates to the new ones, following the new guidelines. We recommend making this transition as soon as possible! If you have any questions, our CSM team is available to assist. What are authentication templates? Authentication templates enable businesses to authenticate users with one-time passwords (typically alphanumeric codes with 4 to 8 digits) at various stages of the login process (e.g., account verification, business account recovery, and integrity challenges). Below is an example of an authentication message template: What changes with the new guidelines for creating and using Message Templates? The authentication templates will become more restricted, with their content predefined by WhatsApp (meaning brands cannot edit the text of this type of template). In addition to the predefined text, brands must include a disposable password button, i.e., a button with the function to copy the authentication code. Furthermore, the use of URLs, media, and emojis in the content or parameters of these templates is not allowed. Regarding parameters, there is also a restriction of 15 characters in length. What do I need to do to adapt my authentication templates to the new guidelines for creating and using Message Templates? Scenario 1: Creating New Authentication Templates 1. Similar to WABA, users will not be able to make edits to the content of the message template, only choosing the text for the disposable password button (copy code button): 2. In WABA, it will be possible to add a footer indicating the expiration time of the authentication code. However, this option will not be available in Blip. Important! In WABA, it is also possible to create message templates with the “autofill” option. These templates should not be used because Blip is not prepared to send them as Active Notifications. Scenario 2: Existing Authentication Templates By October 2nd, 2023, all clients will need to transition from the old templates to the new ones, following the new guidelines, meaning the old templates should stop being used, and new templates should be created. We recommend making this transition as soon as possible! If you have any questions, our CSM team is available to assist. 1. In WABA, it is possible to download a .CSV file with information about templates that do not comply with the new guidelines. 2. Look for the alert banner on the message template creation page: Attention: This action of downloading the .CSV file will not be replicated in Blip. What happens to existing templates if the update to the new guidelines is not carried out? 1. Old authentication templates that do not comply with the new guidelines can no longer be used. 2. WhatsApp recommends that brands replace all existing authentication templates with templates containing disposable password buttons before October 2nd, 2023. Related Articles Official Documentation: New Pricing Model Launch Timeline Authentication Templates with Disposable Password Buttons Guidelines for Utility, Authentication, and Marketing Templates For more information, visit the discussion on the subject in our community or the videos on our channel. 😃 Related articles How to Create and Approve a Message Template in WhatsApp How to send WhatsApp notifications through Blip API How to Send SMS via API Active Messages - Error Codes Sending WhatsApp Active Messages on Blip Desk