Glossary
What is a WhatsApp Official Business Account (blue badge)?
The blue-badge status Meta grants to some WhatsApp Business API numbers: the requirements, how Meta assesses applications, and what the badge does and does not change.
By Broadchat teamPublished 3 min read
Definition
Official Business Account (OBA): An Official Business Account (OBA) is a WhatsApp Business API phone number that Meta has approved to show a blue badge next to the business name. To apply, the number must follow WhatsApp policy, be registered for at least 30 days, belong to a verified business portfolio, have two-step verification turned on and an approved display name. Meta reviews each request and decides; meeting the requirements does not guarantee the badge.
Also called: OBA, WhatsApp blue tick, Blue badge, Green tick (older name)
How the WhatsApp Official Business Account works
The badge belongs to a phone number, not to the whole company. A business with three numbers applies for each one it wants badged. Before you apply, check every item Meta lists:
| Requirement | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Policy compliance | The number follows the WhatsApp Business and Commerce policies |
| Registered 30+ days | The number has been on the platform for at least a month |
| Business verification | The business portfolio that owns the number is verified |
| Two-step verification | A 6-digit PIN is set on the number |
| Approved display name | The name customers see has passed Meta's review |
Beyond the checklist, Meta also looks at whether the brand is well known, for example through coverage in independent press. Meta does not publish a fixed threshold for this, so a small local business that meets every technical requirement can still be refused.
Worked example
Arjun manages WhatsApp for Rangoli Home, a home-decor brand in Jaipur. The number has been live for four months, the portfolio is verified and the display name "Rangoli Home" is approved, but two-step verification was never set. He sets the PIN first, then applies. If Meta denies the request, Arjun waits 30 days, collects links to articles about the brand in newspapers and trade magazines, and applies again.
What the badge does and does not change
- It shows customers that Meta has confirmed the account belongs to a notable business.
- It does not raise your messaging limit, improve your quality rating or reduce what Meta charges per message.
- Badged numbers cannot change their display name themselves; Meta support handles it.
- Since 3 Feb 2026, the Groups API is open to all Official Business Accounts.
The badge is different from Meta Verified, Meta's paid subscription, and from business verification, which every serious API user should complete regardless.
Official Business Account in Broadchat
Broadchat is built on the official WhatsApp Business Platform (Cloud API) and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Meta, so no partner on Broadchat can promise or speed up a badge. What you can do in the panel is get the prerequisites right: check the display name status and number health under Channels → All Channels, and set the two-step verification PIN for your numbers there. Then apply through Meta. For the bigger picture of how the API account fits together, read what the WhatsApp Business API is.
Sources
- Official Business Accounts — Meta for Developers, checked 12 October 2026
- Groups API — Meta for Developers, checked 12 October 2026
Broadchat team · Product and partner success team
The people who build and support Broadchat, the white-label WhatsApp Business API platform. We write from what we see while onboarding partners and their clients on the official WhatsApp Cloud API, and we check every article against Meta's current documentation.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I buy the WhatsApp blue tick?
No one can sell you the Official Business Account badge. Meta grants it after reviewing your request. Anyone promising a blue tick for a fee is promising something only Meta controls.
How long after a denial can I reapply?
Meta asks you to wait 30 days after a denial before applying again. Use the time to fix what was missing, such as two-step verification or evidence that the brand is well known.
Is the blue badge the same as business verification?
No. Business verification confirms your company's identity to Meta and is a requirement for the badge. The badge is a separate, per-number decision that also considers how well known the brand is.