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WhatsApp and the 24-Hour Messaging Window

WhatsApp only allows companies to send free-form messages within 24 hours of receiving a message from a candidate. If more than 24 hours have passed since the candidate’s last message, the compose area may be restricted and you can only send a pre-approved WhatsApp message template.
WhatsApp message templates for outbound contact must be approved by Meta before use. PastaHR creates and submits these templates on your behalf. If you need new templates or changes to existing ones, contact PastaHR support.

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Using a Template in a Conversation

To use a template in a candidate chat:
  1. Open the message compose area at the bottom of the conversation.
  2. Click Template in the bottom-right of the compose area.
  3. Click Choose Template and select the template you want.
  4. The template text is inserted into the compose field, review and personalise it if needed, then send.

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WhatsApp Template Requirements

When requesting new WhatsApp templates, keep the following restrictions in mind:
  • Maximum length: 1,024 characters (including placeholder values and emojis)
  • No placeholder-only messages: every template must contain fixed text alongside any variables. Variables also can’t stand alone, they must always be embedded in text.
  • No restricted terms: WhatsApp rejects templates with certain sensitive or prohibited terms
  • Links require context: a URL alone is not sufficient, add explanatory text alongside a link
  • Simple formatting only: bold, italic, and strikethrough are supported; HTML and complex Markdown are not
  • No purely promotional content: templates cannot consist solely of advertising or aggressive sales language
Example