WhatsApp blue tick and green tick, untangled
Three different things get called a tick on WhatsApp, and they are unrelated. Businesses regularly chase the wrong one for months.
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The three ticks
Grey ticks are delivery. Blue ticks are read receipts, a per-message thing on any chat, with nothing to do with business accounts.
The green tick is an Official Business Account badge next to a business name. That is the one businesses mean when they ask about verification.
- One grey tick: sent
- Two grey ticks: delivered
- Two blue ticks: read
- Green tick: Official Business Account, granted by Meta
Verification is not the badge
Business verification is a compliance step: Meta confirms your business exists using registration documents. It is required for the Business API and almost every real business passes.
The green tick is separate and discretionary, granted on brand notability. Most businesses on the API do not have it and do not need it.
Nobody can sell you a green tick. Providers that offer one for a fee are selling something outside their control.
What actually influences it
Independent press coverage carries the weight. Your own website, press releases and paid placements do not count as third-party notability.
It generally arrives as a consequence of becoming well known rather than as a step towards it.
Frequently asked questions
How do I turn off blue ticks?
In WhatsApp privacy settings, though disabling read receipts also stops you seeing others'. It is unrelated to business verification.
Do I need the green tick to send broadcasts?
No. Business verification is required for the API; the green tick is not required for anything.
Why was my green tick request rejected?
Usually insufficient independent press coverage. It is not a judgement on whether your business is genuine.
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