Ubidots offers a sandbox number to perform tests of our WhatsApp action. However, for in-production use, a dedicated WhatsApp channel must be purchased. Once you have your own WhatsApp channel, please follow these guidelines to avoid being banned.
WARNING: Ubidots cannot do anything to unban a number, as we have no influence over WhatsApp's policies or decisions.
1. The Age of the Number
The longer a number has been registered with WhatsApp, the more resistant it is to blocking. New numbers are immediately "under suspicion." Therefore:
Use an existing number: When informing your number to the Ubidots team, so it gets provisioned, make sure it's been a WhatsApp user for as long as possible. Avoid sending a recently purchased number.
Warm up the number: Make sure to "warm up" the number by sending and receiving messages and files to/from real users for a few days before using it for Ubidots' WhatsApp alerts.
2. Avoid Complaints About Spam
Spam complaints are the most common reason for WhatsApp to block numbers.
Remember: The first thing your end users will see upon receiving your first message is a prominent "Block" button.
Strive to ensure no one feels tempted to click on it!
To minimize this risk:
Keep a loyal audience: Send messages to contacts who know you or are likely to understand why you’re contacting them.
Ideally, have recipients message you first: Create a "Contact Us on WhatsApp" link and share it with your end users to make sure they talk to you first.
Offer a STOP option: Add a phrase like "write 'stop' to stop receiving our messages" at the end of your messages. This makes it more convenient for the customer to opt out rather than filing a complaint.
When actually receiving a STOP message, make sure the recipient is erased from your Ubidots events.
Personalization: Try making messages unique by addressing the recipient by name (e.g., "Hello, {{username}}!").
3. Avoid Mass Activity
Avoid triggering WhatsApp's anti-spam algorithms by introducing activity gradually:
Progressive activity: Gradually increase activity, especially if your number hasn't shown significant activity before.
Do not sent messages at equal intervals (e.g., every 5 minutes).
Messaging limits:
During the first week, don’t send more than 2 messages per minute, more than 6 hours a day, or more than 3 days in a row.
Then, send up to 2 messages per minute across all your events.
Ubidots applies an automatic rate limit of 2 messages per minute per number. Any messages above such limit are discarded.
4. Watch Your Response Rate
Maintaining a high response rate (the ratio of messages sent to messages received) is crucial:
Aim for 30% response rate: Aim to get at least 30 end user responses per 100 messages sent. A low response rate increases the risk of being banned.
You can achieve this by inviting the user to reply to the alert.
Resemble an interactive conversation: Customers should ideally message you first and add you to their contacts, but when this isn’t possible, start the dialogue with engaging content.
If Your Number Is Blocked
Unfortunately, Ubidots cannot help unban a number, but here’s what you can do:
Recovering the number: Follow WhatsApp's unblocking instructions.
Use another number: If blocked, you can connect a new number. Get in touch with your Ubidots account manager to start a new process.
Please note each additional number provisioning has a one-time cost of $30
Remember to try a different approach to avoid having the new number banned again.