WhatsApp & Messaging

WhatsApp Conversation Pricing

Pricing model where you're charged per 24-hour conversation, not per message — varies by category (utility/marketing/authentication/service).

Meta's pricing as of 2024-2026 (India rates): authentication ~₹0.10/conversation, utility ~₹0.30, marketing ~₹0.85, service free if reply is within the 24-hour customer-service window.

A 'conversation' opens when you send a template (or a customer initiates contact) and lasts 24 hours. Within that window, unlimited messages exchanged with that customer are included. After 24 hours, the next message starts a new conversation with a new charge.

Free tier: 1,000 service conversations per month per number — used to be marketing+utility; now restricted to service only.

India context

Indian SMBs usually optimize their template strategy for utility category — same feature, 70% cheaper than marketing. The trick: don't pretend a marketing message is utility (Meta detects via template review and reclassifies).

Examples

  • A salon sends 1,000 appointment confirmations/month at ₹0.30 = ₹300.
  • A D2C brand running 10,000 marketing broadcasts/month at ₹0.85 = ₹8,500.

FAQ

What counts as a service conversation?

Any conversation initiated by the customer, OR a business reply within the 24-hour customer-service window. The 1,000/month free tier covers these.

Can I run unlimited messages in one conversation?

Yes — within the 24-hour window post-conversation-open, you exchange unlimited messages free of additional charge.

Will conversation pricing increase?

Likely yes. Meta has incrementally raised rates 2-3 times since 2022. Annual increases of 10-25% are common.

Related concepts

WABABSPtemplateservice windowmarketing template

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