Display Name and Phone Number Rules for WhatsApp Business Verification

What is a Display Name and Why It's Important

A display name is the name that represents your business on WhatsApp and is essential for your brand identity. It helps build trust and makes it easier for customers to recognize and interact with your business. Your display name should be clear, professional, and consistent with your brand. 

If you have a website, it's recommended to use the same display name in your website's header and footer, which can simplify the verification process with Meta during WhatsApp business verification.

Criteria for Display Names

When setting up your WhatsApp Business API, the display name must meet certain criteria to be approved by Meta:

• Accuracy: The name must accurately reflect your business's official name.

• Uniqueness: The name should be distinct and not easily confused with other businesses.

• No Emojis or Special Characters: The name should not contain emojis or special characters.

• Compliance: The display name must adhere to Meta’s policies and guidelines, ensuring it does not include prohibited content.

For more detailed guidelines, refer to Meta's Display Name Guidelines.

How to Put Your Display Name to Get It Verified Easily

To get your display name verified quickly:

• Use the Official Business Name: Ensure the display name matches your business name as registered with Meta.

• Avoid Abbreviations: Avoid using abbreviations unless they are commonly recognized and associated with your brand.

• Keep It Simple: The display name should be straightforward and easy to understand.

• Use Relevant Language: Choose a language that resonates with your target audience, ensuring clarity and recognition.

 Deleting Your Account If You Want to Use a Personal Number for WhatsApp Business API

If you want to use a personal phone number for the WhatsApp Business API, you must first delete any existing WhatsApp account associated with that number. This is because a number registered with the WhatsApp Business API cannot be used with the regular WhatsApp or WhatsApp Business apps.

Steps to Delete Your WhatsApp Account:

1. Open the WhatsApp app.

2. Go to Settings > Account > Delete my account.

3. Enter your phone number in international format.

4. Follow the prompts to confirm the deletion.

Phone Number Rules and How to Get Verified

Phone Number Eligibility:

• Ownership: The number must be owned by your business.

• Capabilities: It should be able to receive SMS or voice calls.

• Not Previously Used: The number should not have been previously used with any WhatsApp app or another WhatsApp Business Platform API provider.

Verification Process of your mobile number:

• Disconnect from WhatsApp Mobile App: Ensure the phone number is not connected to a WhatsApp Mobile App or previously used by another provider.

• OTP Verification: Verify the number through an OTP sent via SMS or phone call.

• Single API Usage: A phone number can only be associated with one API at a time (either Cloud API or On-Premises API).

For detailed steps, refer to Meta’s Phone Number Registration Guide.

Additional Considerations

• Initial Limit: Meta limits businesses to 2 phone numbers per WhatsApp Business Account during the initial registration period. This can be increased by verifying your business and maintaining high-quality phone and message performance.

• Support Tickets: If you need more than the initial limit of phone numbers, you can open a support ticket with Meta, explaining your business case.

This document provides a comprehensive guide to setting up and verifying your phone number and display name during the WhatsApp onboarding process, ensuring a smooth setup and successful verification.