WhatsApp Business app broadcast lists
- A broadcast list holds up to 256 contacts.
- Only contacts who saved your number receive the message.
- Replies arrive as normal one-to-one chats.
- Fine for small, warm lists; slow and manual beyond that.
Official API messaging limits
On the WhatsApp Business Platform, limits count unique customers you start conversations with in a moving 24-hour window. New business portfolios start at 250. Verifying your business, or delivering 2,000 high-quality template messages in 30 days, unlocks 2,000; after that Meta raises you to 10,000, 100,000 and unlimited when quality stays high and you use at least half your limit. The limit is shared by every number in the portfolio.
| Tier | Unique customers per 24 hours |
|---|---|
| Starting | 250 |
| Tier 1 | 2,000 |
| Tier 2 | 10,000 |
| Tier 3 | 100,000 |
| Tier 4 | Unlimited |
Unofficial API limits
There is no published limit; WhatsApp reacts to behaviour. AgaKural caps each number by age: 20 messages on day one, rising to 1,000 a day after 13 days. Broadcasts are paced a few messages at a time with human-like gaps, every message gets a STOP line, and opt-outs are honoured automatically. See the broadcast tool.
How to reach more people safely
- Post offers as statuses: everyone who saved your number can see them, and nobody gets an unexpected message.
- Personalise each message with the customer's name and details.
- Spread a large list over several days or several warmed numbers.
- Use a click-to-chat link or QR so customers message you first. Try the free WhatsApp link generator.
Frequently asked questions
How many contacts can a WhatsApp broadcast list have?
256 in the WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business apps.
How do I increase my WhatsApp API messaging limit?
Verify your business in Meta Business Manager and keep message quality high; Meta raises the tier automatically when you use at least half your limit.
Is bulk messaging allowed on WhatsApp?
Only to people who opted in. Unsolicited bulk messages lead to blocks, reports and bans on any platform.
Sources
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