What is a broadcast?
A broadcast sends the same message, often personalised with the customer's name, to a whole list or segment at once. Each recipient gets it as a normal one-to-one chat with your business, not a group, so nobody sees the other recipients, and replies come back to your inbox.
There are two very different ways to broadcast on WhatsApp:
| WhatsApp Business app broadcast list | WhatsApp Business Platform (API) broadcast | |
|---|---|---|
| Who receives it | Only contacts who saved your number | Opted-in contacts, saved or not |
| Message type | Any message | Approved message template |
| Scale | Limited by the app | Limited by your messaging limit |
| Personalisation | None | Variables like name and order number |
Why does it matter for sellers in Bangladesh?
A broadcast is the fastest way to tell past buyers about an Eid collection, a flash sale or a restock, and replies turn straight into chats you can sell in. But careless broadcasts are also the fastest way to get blocked. Send only to people who opted in, target segments rather than everyone, and keep an eye on your quality rating.
Example
A cosmetics shop builds a segment of customers who bought skincare in the last 90 days and opted in. It sends a marketing template about a new sunscreen with a Show me button. Customers who tap it land in a chat where the AI assistant answers and takes the order.
In SaleMag, WhatsApp broadcast campaigns can also go out by SMS or email, and contacts without opt-in for that channel are skipped.
Related terms
Opt-in, marketing message, messaging limits, masking SMS.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a broadcast list and an API broadcast?
Broadcast lists in the WhatsApp Business app reach only people who saved your number, and the app has its own limits. An API broadcast uses approved templates and reaches opted-in customers whether or not they saved your number.
Can customers see who else got the broadcast?
No. Each person gets the message in their own chat with your business, and replies come back only to you.
How much does a WhatsApp broadcast cost?
Meta charges per template message by category and country and updates its rates. Check the current rates and see our pricing for the software side.
About the author
WhatsApp & F-commerce automation, Dhaka
The Dhaka team that builds SaleMag, the AI sales inbox for WhatsApp, Messenger and Instagram used by online sellers in Bangladesh.