Decoding WhatsApp’s Blue Tick Badge: What It Means for Users

As WhatsApp evolves into an increasingly business-friendly communication platform, it has been making changes that serve to enhance user experience and help businesses establish customer relationships based on trust. A recent significant update in its ecosystem is its transition from the familiar green tick badge on verified business profiles to a new blue tick. Meta had revealed its intention to shift from the green tick to the blue tick during the Meta Conversations Conference in June 2024 and has since implemented the change. This move has not just refreshed WhatsApp’s visual identity but has also brought a sense of uniformity across its other platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Going blue is aimed at boosting brand recognition. Another great aspect of the blue tick badge is that even small businesses can obtain it. The green tick was only available to businesses using the WhatsApp Business API, but the blue tick can also be accessed by businesses that don’t have the API but are simply using the WhatsApp Business app.

Let’s dive into what the WhatsApp blue tick badge is, its implications for businesses, and how to obtain it.

What Does It Mean for a Business to be WhatsApp Verified?

Being verified by WhatsApp means that the business has been deemed to be authentic and trustworthy by WhatsApp, and can add a verified badge next to its WhatsApp profile. Businesses need to meet some eligibility requirements in order to be verified by WhatsApp.

What is the WhatsApp Blue Tick Badge?

The blue tick badge on a brand’s WhatsApp profile signifies that the business has been verified on WhatsApp based on their activity on the app as well as the documents they have provided. It is a mark of authenticity that distinguishes official business accounts from personal or unverified business accounts. This WhatsApp-verified symbol appears next to a brand’s name on the users’ chat lists, within chat screens, and in the contact view, ensuring that customers know they are communicating with a verified business entity. In an age where cyberfraud is on the rise, customers need to feel safe that they are chatting with the right business, and this badge helps to do just that – it instils a sense of confidence among customers. Being verified has another advantage as well. Brands that have the Blue Tick are displayed with their WhatsApp Business names on a user’s screen, even if the user has not added them to their contact list.

Why the Move From Green to Blue?

The transition from a green to a blue tick badge aligns with WhatsApp’s strategy to streamline their user experience and make business verification more recognizable. Blue is often associated with trust, reliability, and communication, making it an apt choice for a platform that prioritizes secure and trustworthy user interactions. This color change is also part of a broader effort by WhatsApp to standardize the look and feel of trust indicators across messaging platforms owned by Meta, making it easier for users to recognize verified businesses across different applications.

What Does the Blue Tick Mean for Businesses with a Green Tick?

For businesses that previously held a green tick, the transition to a blue tick will be seamless and automatic. The blue tick retains the same function as the green tick, serving as a symbol of authenticity and trustworthiness. There is no action required from businesses as WhatsApp automatically updates the badge color, ensuring that the transition does not disrupt ongoing customer interactions or service delivery.

How to Get the Blue Tick on WhatsApp?

To apply for a blue tick badge, a business must ensure that it has a complete business profile on WhatsApp, adheres to the platform’s business policies, and can provide evidence of authenticity, such as a publicly listed phone number or business registration documents. This process is designed to protect consumers from fraud and to ensure that only legitimate businesses can achieve the coveted verified status.

What are the Subscription Options for the WhatsApp Blue Tick?

WhatsApp offers different subscription plans with benefits that cater to various business sizes and needs, ranging from small startups to large enterprises. These plans, starting from a basic one to a comprehensive one that offers advanced support, are tailored to offer varying degrees of functionality, such as message automation, advanced analytics, and customer support features. Businesses can choose a plan that best fits their operational requirements and budgets.

How to Get the Blue Tick With the WhatsApp Business App?

Businesses looking to obtain the blue tick through the WhatsApp Business app need to:

• Download and set up the WhatsApp Business app.
• Fill out the business profile completely and accurately.
• Apply for verification through the app by providing necessary documentation and information to prove the legitimacy of the business.
• Wait for WhatsApp to review the application and grant the blue tick upon successful verification.

How to Get It With WhatsApp Business API?

For larger businesses or those needing more advanced features, the WhatsApp Business API offers a pathway to the blue tick:

• Ensure your business meets WhatsApp’s eligibility criteria.
• Apply for access to the WhatsApp Business API through a WhatsApp Partner.
• Set up your API account and complete your business profile.
• Submit your account for verification, providing all required documentation.
• Once verified, your account will display the blue tick badge.

The move to the blue tick is a change aimed to enhance trust and boost brand recall across digital platforms. By understanding the significance of this change and how to navigate the application process, businesses can leverage the blue tick to signify credibility, attract more customers, and build stronger relationships through reliable communication. This badge not only reassures customers of a business’s authenticity but also reinforces WhatsApp’s commitment to secure and trustworthy business interactions on its platform.