Click-to-WhatsApp Ads Guide

Updated

Quick answer: Click-to-WhatsApp ads are Facebook and Instagram ads that open a WhatsApp chat with your business instead of a website. To run one, create a campaign in Meta Ads Manager with the Engagement, Leads or Sales objective and choose WhatsApp as the conversion location, connect your WhatsApp Business number, and write a pre-filled first message. Conversations from these ads open a free 72-hour window, and a WhatsApp chatbot or AI lead qualifier can answer and qualify every lead instantly.

Turn Facebook and Instagram ad clicks into WhatsApp conversations — and qualify them automatically.

The weak point of most CTWA campaigns is what happens after the click: slow replies lose leads. This guide covers the setup and the follow-up.

  • Free 72-hour messaging window for ad conversations
  • Instant replies with a chatbot or AI qualifier
  • Know which ad each lead came from

Setting up the ad

  1. Connect WhatsApp to your Facebook Page. Link the WhatsApp Business number to the Facebook Page that will run the ads.
  2. Create the campaign. In Ads Manager choose the Engagement, Leads or Sales objective and pick WhatsApp as the conversion location (messaging apps).
  3. Write the greeting. Set a pre-filled message such as "Hi, I'd like the price list" so people only have to tap send.
  4. Prepare the first reply. Set up a chatbot flow or AI lead qualifier so every click gets an answer within seconds.
  5. Launch and measure. Track conversations, qualified leads and sales per ad — not just clicks.

After the click: what makes CTWA work

  • Reply instantly — use a bot for the first questions, then hand hot leads to sales
  • Ask two or three qualifying questions (budget, location, timeline) in a natural way
  • Tag every contact with the ad they came from to compare ads by real sales
  • Use the free 72-hour window to follow up before switching to paid templates

How Advertz helps

Advertz tags contacts who arrive from a Click-to-WhatsApp ad automatically, its AI Lead Qualifier chats with each lead and alerts your team when someone shows buying intent, and the team inbox keeps every ad conversation in one place.

Frequently asked questions

Are messages from Click-to-WhatsApp ads free?

Yes. When a customer messages you from a Click-to-WhatsApp ad, a 72-hour free entry point window opens in which your messages, including templates, are not charged by Meta.

Do I need the WhatsApp Business API for CTWA ads?

No, the ads also work with the WhatsApp Business app. The API adds a shared inbox, chatbots and automatic lead tagging, which matter once ads bring in many leads.

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