Rich Messaging Features in the Twilio API for WhatsApp
When you build with the WhatsApp Business API with Twilio, you get access to several WhatsApp-specific features to dress up your messages and make it easier for your end users to reach you.
These features include:
- Formatting message text
- Including location information
- Displaying previews of web links
- QR Codes and Short Links
- Deep Links
Formatting in WhatsApp Messages
WhatsApp allows text, emojis, and some formatting in messages. To format all or part of a message, use these formatting symbols:
| Formatting | Symbol | Example |
| Bold | Asterisk (**) | Your total is *$10.50*. |
| Italic | Underscore (_) | Welcome to _WhatsApp_! |
| Strike-through | Tilde (~) | This is ~better~ best! |
| Code / Pre-formatted | Three backticks (```) | ```print 'Hello World';``` |
Location Messages with WhatsApp
The Twilio API for WhatsApp supports sending and receiving GPS location data in messages to and from WhatsApp users.
Facebook does not support location messaging in WhatsApp Message Templates at this time. Twilio Conversations also does not support location messaging functionality at this time. To send and receive location messages with WhatsApp, you'll need to use session messages leveraging the API or Twilio's helper libraries.
Send outbound location messages
Sending outbound location messages over WhatsApp is similar to sending a text-based message, with the addition of the PersistentAction parameter in your Twilio API requests. Outbound location messages must include the following information:
Body={name}PersistentAction=geo:{latitude},{longitude}ORPersistentAction=geo:{latitude},{longitude}|{label}
| Name | Type | Required | Description |
| name | String | Yes (for outbound messages) |
The name of the location being sent.(Location must exist in Google maps for the hyperlink to work on Mac/Windows WhatsApp client) |
| latitude | Number | Yes | Latitude of the location being sent |
| longitude | Number | Yes | Longitude of the location being sent |
| label | String | No | Optional free-form text to display under the location name |
Your user should receive a message that looks like this:
Receive inbound location messages
You can also receive inbound location messages with the Twilio API for WhatsApp.
Locations do not appear in the Twilio Console at this time. However, your web application will receive the location data in the POST request that Twilio sends. This data will be included in the HTTP POST request for the incoming message that we send to your webhook.
You will be able to access the following parameters in the POST request values Twilio sends to your application when you receive a WhatsApp location message:
LatitudeLongitudeAddressLabel
Location Message Types
There are two types of location that users can send with WhatsApp: Current Location and Live Location. Live Location is not currently supported by the WhatsApp Business API.
Current Location is a static type of content, similar to a timestamp. This means the location information you receive from a user indicates where the user was in that particular moment in time when they triggered the “send location” action.
Below is a sample payload containing location information. Please note that the Body={name} parameter is not required for inbound messages.
Latitude=37.7879277&Longitude=-122.3937508&Address=375+Beale+St%2C+San+Francisco%2C+CA+94105&SmsMessageSid=SMxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx&NumMedia=0&SmsSid=SMxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx&Label=Twilio+Inc&Body=&To=whatsapp%3A%2B14155238886&NumSegments=1&MessageSid=SMxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx&AccountSid=ACxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx&From=whatsapp%3A%2B12345678900&ApiVersion=2010-04-01
Preview weblinks in freeform WhatsApp messages
When you are within the 24-hour session (initiated by a customer sending your business a message), you can send freeform, non-templated messages with a customer. During this 24-hour window, WhatsApp messages that contain web links display a web page snippet preview on the WhatsApp client. WhatsApp does not currently support URL previews in templated messages.
Start conversations with deep links
Customers can initiate a conversation with you on WhatsApp through URL deep links, such as on your website. If end users have WhatsApp installed on their devices, clicking the deep link opens a conversation with your business inside of WhatsApp.
Deep link format : https://wa.me/<e164 number>&text=Hello!
Deep links can be embedded in web or mobile apps, advertised on the web, or placed in other visible locations. They are an effective way to start conversations without using WhatsApp Notification templates.
QR Codes and Short Links
QR codes and short links enable consumers to initiate a conversation with a business without adding a new contact in their phone!
What are QR codes?
A QR ("Quick Response") code is a type of barcode that you can use to open up a new WhatsApp conversation. Your end uses can scan your business' QR code, and the WhatsApp business profile will automatically load, with a pre-filled message that your business can define.
Here’s an example of a QR Code:
What are Short links?
Businesses can generate short links that, when clicked, load pre-filled messages. You can edit or delete these links at any time. Short links mask phone numbers so that only a random code appears in the url.
How can businesses use QR codes and short links?
- Get in touch with more users. Businesses can place QR codes on product packaging, receipts/invoices, at your storefront and other physical or digital surfaces. These can be used to respond to customer-initiated questions, such as pre-sales inquiries or post-purchase support.
- Collect opt-in. Businesses can collect opt-in for notifications via QR codes and/or short links.
How can I get a QR code or short link?
To get a WhatsApp QR code or short link, open a support ticket and provide the WhatsApp Sender (Phone Number) and the message you would like to have embedded in the QR code or short link.
Quick Replies and Call to Action buttons
WhatsApp lets you add different types of buttons to message templates: "Quick Replies" and "Call to Action" buttons. For more information on buttons check out the guide on Using Buttons In WhatsApp.
Twilio Messaging Content API (Public Beta)
Twilio's Content API (Public Beta) offers rich features on OTT channels including quick replies, lists, cards, media and more.
What's Next?
Ready to send feature-rich messages to your end users over WhatsApp? Check out some of these resources to get started (or keep) building:
Need some help?
We all do sometimes; code is hard. Get help now from our support team, or lean on the wisdom of the crowd by visiting Twilio's Stack Overflow Collective or browsing the Twilio tag on Stack Overflow.
