How does WhatsApp advertising work? All information for companies [June 2025]

What is WhatsApp advertising?

WhatsApp advertising means marketing measures in which companies specifically use the WhatsApp messenger to communicate with potential or existing customers and deliver advertising messages. In doing so, there is two main forms:

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1. Click-to-WhatsApp ads

These are paid advertisements (usually on social media or on websites) where the Call-to-action leads directly to a WhatsApp chat. The ad itself often runs on meta platforms such as Instagram, but the dialogue then takes place in WhatsApp. The aim is to start direct 1:1 communication with a high conversion probability.
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➡️ example:
A fashion boutique places an ad on Instagram with the CTA button “Secure the offer via WhatsApp now”. If the user clicks on the ad, the WhatsApp chat opens with a pre-filled message. All the user has to do is send it.

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2. Direct WhatsApp marketing in Messenger

This is Newsletters via WhatsApp chat, which companies send directly to users via the WhatsApp Business Platform — such as new products, exclusive offers, reminders or customer service inquiries. This form is Push marketing within WhatsApp.
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➡️ example:
Every month, a car dealership informs existing customers via WhatsApp about current leasing offers — GDPR-compliant via an official tool such as Hellomateo.
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No classic advertising banners in WhatsApp

WhatsApp itself does not offer traditional advertising spaces in the feed, such as Instagram or YouTube. Ads as banners or pop-ups, as shown to users on other platforms, do not (yet) exist on WhatsApp. That is why “WhatsApp advertising” is not a format on WhatsApp itself, but a clever mix of:

• Ads with WhatsApp link
• Messenger campaigns via WhatsApp direct message

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Advertisement with Click-to-WhatsApp ads

Click-to-WhatsApp is one of the most direct and effective ways to persuade potential customers to make a purchase. Instead of leading to a classic landing page, the click on the link — whether in an ad or elsewhere — directly one WhatsApp chat between user and company. Click-to-WhatsApp is based on a simple link format that can be integrated anywhere: in Facebook or Instagram ads, on a website, in an email, or even as a QR code on printed materials. As soon as a user clicks on the link, Does WhatsApp open automatically — on the smartphone directly in the app, on the desktop via WhatsApp web or in the installed application. This seamless transition lowers the barrier to entry: Users don't have to fill out a form or switch between platforms.

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Example: Click-to-WhatsApp in Meta Ads

Click-to-WhatsApp is not limited to Facebook or Instagram, but it is particularly effective in combination with Meta Ads: Companies integrate the link directly into their ad. Optionally, a so-called “template message” can be predefined — a text suggestion that the user can send with one click to start the conversation. This creates immediate dialogue and companies gain new contact via WhatsApp. With the company's WhatsApp number and the message template, a corresponding click-to-WhatsApp link can be generated.

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Benefits at a glance

• Direct channel: No detour via landing pages — one click is all it takes
• Low hurdle: Users write voluntarily on a familiar channel
• Mobile-optimized: Easy to use with WhatsApp on the smartphone
• High conversion rate: Personal exchange promotes trust before buying
• Universally applicable: Not just limited to meta platforms
• Long-term customer relationships: The contact is maintained and can continue to be used

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Click-to-WhatsApp Case Study

Here is an example of how one extended with a QR code Click-to-WhatsApp ad looks. The link consists, among other things, of the company's telephone number and the text template (https://api.whatsapp.com/send/?phone=%2B493030807311&text=Ich+m%C3%B6chte+mehr+erfahren%3A+%23mehrmateo&type=phone_number&app_absent=0). Scanning is optional, just click on the image:
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What's happening?
When scanning, WhatsApp opens directly with this preformulated message:
“I want to know more: #mehrmateo”

Since hellomateo uses the WhatsApp API interface, the hashtag #mehrmateo triggers a message sequence for the newsletter opt-in.

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Link to try it out:
Start WhatsApp dialog now

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WhatsApp newsletter marketing as an effective channel for B2C advertising

WhatsApp has long been more than just a communication tool. For many companies, the messenger is now a effective marketing channelto reach customers directly — without detours via algorithms or advertising networks. Particularly popular is the Sending WhatsApp newsletters.

A WhatsApp newsletter works in a similar way to an email newsletter — except that it appears as a personal message in WhatsApp Messenger. Companies can thus regularly send content such as offers, new products, birthday greetings or appointment reminders to their recipients. Dispatch takes place via official WhatsApp Business API. This interface allows you to send messages GDPR-compliant and automated via third-party tools such as Hellomateo to send.
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Why is WhatsApp particularly suitable for B2C marketing?

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➡️ The result for most companies: Higher customer lifetime value, increased sales and higher company profit, including through upselling and cross-selling.

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Typical application scenarios in B2C:

• New products or announce actions
• Newsletter as part of Customer journey from initial enquiry to after-sales
• Personalized offers Sending
• birthday greetingsto improve customer loyalty
• Reactivate customers, e.g. after a long period of inactivity
• ‍Reminder for appointments or events
• Advice or ordering processes directly in the chat

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What type of WhatsApp advertising is best for businesses?

Whether it's a click-to-WhatsApp ad or a regular newsletter: Which form of WhatsApp advertising is the right one depends on the goals, the target group and the available resources. The good news: Both approaches can also be combined excellently.

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1. Click-to-WhatsApp ads for new customer acquisition

Click-to-WhatsApp ads are ideal when companies:

• generate new leads Want
• Newsletter opt-ins Want to collect
• their advertising targeted at specific target groups on Facebook or Instagram Play
• Interest in a direct dialogue Want to convert
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This format is particularly effective when the ad:

• eine clear call to action contains (“Start consultation now”)
• a specific offer or a added value offers (e.g. discount code, information material)
• with a automated response reacts to initial contact

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2nd WhatsApp newsletter for customer loyalty and remarketing

Sending WhatsApp newsletters is particularly suitable if companies:

• Reach out to existing customers regularly Want
• with their customers Communicate on equal footing woolen
• Sales and customer lifetime value want to increase specifically
• relevant content How to send offers, product news or event invitations

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Through segmentation and automation, advertising can be targeted according to various criteria:

• Buying behavior
• interests
• location or
• Timing the last interaction
  

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conclusion

‍‍Companies that want to build up reach quickly, often start with click-to-WhatsApp ads. Who against Reach out to existing customers regularly Will, rely on newsletters. The most effective combination is: ads to generate leads, newsletters to retain customers and increase sales.
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hellomateo has much more to offer than just WhatsApp advertising

With hellomateo and the WhatsApp Business Platform companies can inspire their customers with customer communication and marketing, maximize their sales and minimize internal workload. integrations with thousands of other software applications, WhatsApp newsletter marketing, unlimited scalability and flexibility, automatic responses, GDPR compliance, etc. — the WhatsApp Business Platform has so much to offer. Just arrange a free consultationto find out all the details Our customers know the following benefits particularly appreciated:
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• ‍Central user interface: hellomateo combines WhatsApp Business Platform, email, Instagram, SMS and Facebook Messenger in one central inbox. The intuitive user interface includes various tools for efficient customer communication and saves you valuable working time.
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• integrations: With hellomateo, you can use WhatsApp in integrate over 6,000 software programs and fully automated Customer trips create with invitations, order confirmations, shipping information, invoices, and reminders.
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• Newsletter marketing: Send GDPR-compliant Newsletter via WhatsApp or SMS and benefit from opening rates of over 90%.‍
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• Assessment management: hellomateo can Automatically request online reviews from your customers, which boosts your Google ranking and trust in your company.
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• ‍Data protection: hellomateo meets all German and European Data protection requirements and offers end-to-end encryption for secure customer communication.
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• scalability: Our software is suitable for Businesses of all sizes and can be extended indefinitely depending on the package.‍
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• ‍Diverse AI features: Our AI agent can automatically answer customer inquiries in chat, answer calls, help with the formulation of messages and much more.
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Arrange a non-binding and free consultation and we'll show you how hellomateo covers your communication needs! Simply book an appointment here or write to us via our web widget.