What is a WhatsApp broadcast list? (and how to use it politely)

What it is

A WhatsApp broadcast list is a way to send the same message to many of your contacts at once. Each person receives it as a normal one-to-one message from you, not as part of a group. Other recipients cannot see who else got it, and replies come back to you privately.

Features and limits on WhatsApp change over time, so I will not list numbers here. Check the app or the official help pages for what applies to your account today.

A new-drop example

Say you sell handmade earrings and release a new collection every month. Instead of messaging each regular customer one by one, you write a single announcement.

"Hi, this is Neha from Neha's Earrings. Our new Monsoon collection is up at [link]. Eight designs, small batch, and some will sell out. Reply STOP if you would rather not get these messages."

It goes to your list, and each person sees it like a personal note. The people who want a piece reply or click through, and you answer them as usual.

Our post on WhatsApp broadcast templates for new drops has more wording like this.

Consent comes first

This is the part that matters most. A broadcast list is for people who have agreed to hear from you.

• Add someone to your list only if they have said yes, for example after buying or when they asked to be told about new items.
• Keep a simple record of when and how they agreed.
• Tell people what to expect and how often.
• Always give an easy way out, such as replying STOP.
• Honour opt-outs immediately.

On WhatsApp, recipients generally need your number saved in their contacts to receive broadcast messages, but do not treat that as permission. Sending unwanted messages annoys customers, risks your number being reported, and harms your brand. The posts on how to get customer permission for WhatsApp updates and how to let customers opt out of WhatsApp broadcasts are worth reading before your first send.

Keep your contacts organised

You will need to save customer numbers with their names, and it helps to label them. See how to organise WhatsApp contacts for your store.

What makes a good broadcast

• One purpose per message: a new drop, a restock, a festival offer.
• A clear first line that says what it is.
• A single link and a single action.
• Your name and brand, so people know who it is from.
• A short length. Nobody wants an essay in a chat.
• A sensible time of day, not late at night.

Be careful about frequency. Sending too often turns a welcome message into noise. Our post on how often to send a WhatsApp broadcast can help you settle on a rhythm.

Etiquette in short

• Greet people as people, not as a list.
• Do not share a customer's number with anyone else.
• Reply quickly when someone responds.
• Do not add people to your list because they once asked a price question.

For more, read WhatsApp broadcast etiquette for small sellers.

Used with care, a broadcast list is one of the friendliest ways to tell loyal customers that something new is ready. Used carelessly, it is a fast way to be blocked.