Is the WhatsApp green tick actually green?
The terminology everyone searches for is "green tick," but Meta's current documentation uses different language. An Official Business Account (OBA) is described as having "a blue checkmark beside their name in the contacts view."
The color changed between July 2024 and February 2025, when archived snapshots show the transition from "green checkmark badge" to "blue checkmark badge." However, Meta's approval notification system hasn't caught up — it still tells newly approved businesses they received a green badge, creating confusion when users see a blue checkmark instead.
The practical answer: The badge is currently blue, though Meta and the broader community frequently still refer to it as green.
What the Official Business Account page tells you
Meta's official OBA eligibility page lists five criteria, all procedural in nature:
| Criterion | What it means |
|---|---|
| Policy compliance | Complies with WhatsApp Business Messaging Policy |
| Thirty days | Registered on WhatsApp Business Platform for at least 30 days |
| Business verification | Business portfolio verified through Business Verification |
| Two-step verification | Enabled on the phone number |
| Display name | Approved |
Notably absent from this documentation is any mention of notability, fame, or press coverage. A business reviewing this page would reasonably assume that meeting these five procedural conditions is sufficient.
What Meta's API actually asks for
The requirement exists but lives in documentation most businesses never consult. Meta's OBA Status API reference includes a field called supporting_links — described as "Supporting links that demonstrate business notability (minimum 5, maximum 10)."
Meta's Business Help Center further clarifies notability as "a well-known business that has a substantial presence in news articles from publications with sizable audiences."
This represents a significant gap: the requirement for five to ten editorial links demonstrating business notability appears in the API schema and help documentation but not on the main eligibility criteria page. Most guides to obtaining the badge quote Facebook's verification standards instead, which ask for coverage in "multiple news sources" without specifying a minimum number.
Why the WhatsApp green tick usually goes through a provider
Meta documents a self-serve application path through WhatsApp Manager, but for most accounts, the Submit Request button doesn't appear. When this occurs, Meta directs businesses to "reach out to your Meta point-of-contact, Solution Provider support, or Meta Support."
This explains why most applications go through providers — not because Meta forbids self-serve submission, but because the option isn't exposed to most accounts.
What to have ready before applying
- At least five links to editorial coverage in publications with genuine audiences (not paid placements)
- Business portfolio verified through Business Verification
- Two-step verification enabled on the number
- Display name approved and directly associated with the business
- Thirty days elapsed since registration on the platform
If rejected, businesses must wait 30 days before resubmitting. Meta states that denials currently cannot be appealed, though display name rejections follow a separate process with their own appeal route.
The key principle
The badge follows genuine editorial coverage. If a business lacks five pieces of authentic news coverage, waiting is preferable to submitting an application that will fail and trigger another 30-day waiting period before resubmission.
