WhatsApp Green Tick in 2026: Official Business Account Explained

This guide is for marketing, CX and compliance leads who want customers to see a verified badge next to their WhatsApp business name. It explains what the badge means in 2026, the difference between the free Official Business Account route and the paid Meta Verified route, how to apply, why requests fail and how to build trust if Meta says no.

What is the WhatsApp green tick now?

The green tick no longer exists in that color. WhatsApp shows a blue checkmark for verified businesses, and how you get it depends on which WhatsApp product you use.

• On the WhatsApp Business Platform (API), the checkmark marks an Official Business Account (OBA). Meta describes an OBA as a business phone number owned by a business that has been verified as authentic. The checkmark appears next to the business name in the contacts view.
• On the WhatsApp Business app, the badge comes with Meta Verified, a paid subscription. According to WhatsApp Business, Meta Verified includes a verified badge, prioritized support, a custom web page and other features depending on the tier.

Many "how to get the green tick" articles still describe the old process. If you run customer messaging on the API, the OBA request is the route that matters.

Official Business Account vs Meta Verified: which applies to you?

Your WhatsApp product decides the route. You cannot buy Meta Verified for an API number, and you cannot request OBA status for a Business app number.

If you are deciding between the app and the API for other reasons, our API vs Business app comparison covers the trade-offs.

Who is eligible for an Official Business Account?

Meta's developer documentation lists five conditions. A number must meet all of them before a request makes sense:

1. The business complies with the WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy.
2. The business has been registered on the WhatsApp Business Platform for at least 30 days.
3. The business portfolio that owns the number has completed Business Verification.
4. Two-step verification is enabled on the phone number.
5. The display name has been approved.

Meta also states that employee accounts, test accounts and WhatsApp Business app numbers are not eligible.

Beyond these criteria, Meta reviews whether the account represents an authentic, recognizable business. Provider documentation commonly reports that brands with independent press or public coverage succeed more often. Meta does not publish a fixed number of articles or a notability score, so treat any such number as folklore.

How do I apply for the blue checkmark on the WhatsApp API?

You submit the request per phone number in WhatsApp Manager or through the API. There is no fee.

Pre-flight checklist

• Business Verification shows as verified in Meta Business Settings.
• The display name is approved and matches the brand customers recognize (see display name rules).
• Two-step verification PIN is set on the number.
• The number has been on the platform for 30 days or more.
• The business profile is complete: logo, description, website, email and address.
• Your website and public profiles use the same brand name as the display name.
• Quality rating is healthy and there are no recent policy warnings. See our guide to messaging limits and quality rating.

Steps

1. Open WhatsApp Manager, go to the overview and select the business phone number.
2. Turn on two-step verification if it is off.
3. Under the profile section, find Official business account and click Submit request.
4. Add supporting links if the form allows it: official website, press coverage, app store listings or a Wikipedia page, all showing the same brand name.
5. Wait for Meta's decision. You can check the status in WhatsApp Manager, and developers can read the oba_status field through the API.

Repeat the request for each phone number you want badged. Approval of one number does not carry over automatically to new numbers.

Why do official business account requests fail?

Meta's documentation says only that a denied account "does not meet eligibility requirements at this time." In practice, rejections usually trace back to one of these issues.

After a rejection, Meta allows a new request after 30 days. Use the time to fix the underlying issue rather than resubmitting the same evidence.

What should we do if Meta will not grant the badge?

Most businesses on WhatsApp do not have a checkmark, and customers still trust them. Trust comes from consistency and behavior as much as from a badge.

• Complete the business profile. Logo, description, address, website and email are visible to every customer and are free.
• Use an approved, recognizable display name. The name customers see in chats should match your shop sign, app and website.
• Publish your number on owned channels. Put the number on your website, invoices, packaging and store signage so customers can check it. Our guide to click-to-chat links and QR codes shows how.
• Let customers start the conversation. Chats that begin from your website or ads feel more trustworthy than unexpected outbound messages.
• Send only expected messages. Clear opt-in and relevant templates protect both trust and quality rating. See opt-in and consent.
• Never ask for passwords or full card details in chat. State this publicly so customers can spot impersonators.

Worked example: a Dubai retailer applying for OBA

Al Noor Home, a synthetic furniture retailer in Dubai, moved customer service and order updates to the WhatsApp Business API. Six weeks after registration it requested OBA status and was rejected.

The team reviewed the checklist. Business Verification had been completed under the parent holding company, while the display name used the retail brand, and the website footer showed a third name. They aligned the website, Instagram and Google Business Profile on "Al Noor Home," added the trade licence name to the website's legal page, and confirmed the display name was approved.

During the 30-day wait they completed the business profile, added the WhatsApp number and a QR code to receipts and store counters, and gathered genuine coverage from a regional business publication about a store opening. The second request included those links. Whether or not Meta approves it, customers now see consistent branding everywhere they meet the number.

Limits, risks and common mistakes

• Buying "guaranteed" green ticks. No provider can guarantee Meta's decision. Treat guarantees as a red flag.
• Assuming the badge improves delivery. It does not raise messaging limits or template approval rates.
• Changing the display name casually. Display name changes go through review again; plan rebrands with that in mind.
• Forgetting new numbers. Each phone number needs its own request.
• Relying on old screenshots. Requirements change; confirm the current criteria in Meta's documentation before applying.

How OmniChannels.ai helps

OmniChannels.ai onboards WhatsApp Business API numbers through Meta Embedded Signup, so your number, business portfolio and display name live under your own Meta assets from day one. You can then run approved templates, campaigns and two-way conversations in the Omni Inbox, and print WhatsApp QR digital business cards that send customers to your verified number. Arabic and English are supported, and the platform is powered by BroadNet Technologies. Explore the WhatsApp Business API channel or book a demo to plan your setup.