Message Types

This page describes the different free-form messages that can be sent during an open customer service window.

The WhatsApp API supports sending different types of messages, each requiring a specific JSON request body. All messages below are free-form and can only be sent within the customer service window. To send a message outside this window, a new conversation must be initiated using a Template message.

Message Types	Description	Example
Address messages	Enable requesting a delivery address directly from a WhatsApp user through a structured interaction.
Audio messages	Display an audio icon linked to an audio file. When the recipient taps the icon, the WhatsApp client loads and plays the audio.
Contacts messages	Send structured contact information, including names, phone numbers, physical addresses, and email addresses.
Document messages	Display a document icon, linked to a document that a WhatsApp user can tap to download.
Image messages	Display a single image and an optional caption.
Interactive messages	Various types of interactive button and linking messages.
Location messages	Send a location’s latitude and longitude coordinates
Reaction Message	Emoji-reactions that businesses can apply to a user message.
Sticker messages	Display animated or static sticker images
Text messages	Contain only text body and an optional link preview.
Video messages	Display a thumbnail preview of a video image with an optional caption. When the WhatsApp user taps the preview, it loads the video and displays it to the user.