> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documents.xobito.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Meta Approval

> How template review works, how long it takes, why templates get rejected, and how to fix them.

Every new template goes through **Meta review** before you can use it. Xobito submits on your behalf; Meta decides. This page explains the flow, the timing, and the common rejection reasons.

## The review flow

<Steps>
  <Step title="You save the template">
    Saving a new template submits it to Meta via the WhatsApp Cloud API. The status becomes **PENDING**. Meta returns a `template_id` that is stored on the record.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Meta reviews it">
    Meta's systems run automated checks first; a human reviewer may look at more complex or unusual templates. Review considers category fit, content policy, variable use, and the sample values/files you provided.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Meta decides">
    The outcome is **APPROVED** or **REJECTED**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Xobito updates the status">
    The template badge turns green for APPROVED or red for REJECTED.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## How long approval takes

Review speed varies. A simple text-only template can be decided in minutes; complex templates with media can take longer, especially during a Meta policy update or submission spike.

<Note>
  If a template has been PENDING for more than 24 hours, contact support. Xobito cannot speed up Meta directly, but support can raise the review queue with them.
</Note>

## Status meanings

| Status       | Meaning                              | What you can do                       |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------- |
| **DRAFT**    | Saved but not yet submitted.         | Edit freely.                          |
| **PENDING**  | Submitted, awaiting Meta's decision. | Wait. You cannot edit or cancel.      |
| **APPROVED** | Usable immediately.                  | Send in campaigns, chat, automations. |
| **REJECTED** | Meta declined it.                    | Review, edit, resubmit.               |

<Warning>
  Only **APPROVED** templates can be sent through Xobito. Sending attempts using a DRAFT, PENDING, or REJECTED template are blocked.
</Warning>

## Where to find the rejection reason

<Note>
  Meta's exact rejection reason is **not stored in Xobito's database** today — only logged internally on the server. To find out why a specific template was rejected:

  1. Check **Meta Business Manager → WhatsApp Manager → Message templates**. The rejection reason and any policy notes appear there.
  2. Or contact Xobito support with the template name — we can pull the server-side log and relay Meta's message.
</Note>

## Common rejection reasons

These are the patterns Meta most often flags. The fix is usually to edit the template and resubmit.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Promotional content without clear consent (Marketing)">
    **What Meta sees:** A sales pitch — discount, offer, limited-time deal — but no clear opt-in signal on your account.

    **Fix:** Tighten your opt-in flow so contacts explicitly agree to receive marketing on WhatsApp. Keep a record of consent. Resubmit the same template.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Wrong category">
    **What Meta sees:** You picked **Utility** but the template promotes a product.

    **Fix:** Edit the template, change category to **Marketing**, resubmit. Rule of thumb: if the message mentions sales, offers, new products, or anything aimed at generating business, it is Marketing.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Vague or meaningless placeholders">
    **What Meta sees:** A variable like `{{1}}` standing in for a whole paragraph, or sample values like `xxx`, `test`, `abc`.

    **Fix:** Replace large variables with fixed text. Keep variables small — names, dates, order numbers. Use realistic sample values: `Alex`, `A1042`, `Friday`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Language mismatch">
    **What Meta sees:** Template tagged `es` (Spanish) but the body is in English — or vice versa.

    **Fix:** Either rewrite the body in the tagged language, or create a new template with the correct language code. Approved templates cannot have their language changed.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Aggressive marketing style">
    **What Meta sees:** ALL CAPS words, excessive emojis, patterns like `!!!!!` or `$$$`, or shouty sales copy.

    **Fix:** Calm the copy. Reduce emojis to one or two well-placed ones. Avoid all-caps words.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Prohibited content">
    **What Meta sees:** Content Meta does not allow at all — illegal products, adult content, weapons, gambling in restricted regions, unproven health claims.

    **Fix:** These templates will never be approved. Confirm your use case against Meta's policy documentation before building any template.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Sample media issues">
    **What Meta sees:** The sample image/video/document you uploaded is blank, corrupt, or doesn't match the template's stated purpose.

    **Fix:** Upload a clear, representative sample. For an order-confirmation template, the image should look like an order confirmation.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Variable numbering wrong">
    **What Meta sees:** Variables skip numbers (`{{1}}` and `{{3}}` with no `{{2}}`), or repeat incorrectly.

    **Fix:** Variables must be sequential: `{{1}}`, `{{2}}`, `{{3}}`. Renumber and resubmit.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Re-submitting a rejected template

Because the exact rejection reason is not visible in Xobito's UI, start with Meta Business Manager (or support) to learn the specific cause, then:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Read the rejection reason from Meta">
    Check Meta Business Manager → WhatsApp Manager → Message templates, or ask support.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Edit the template in Xobito">
    Click **Edit** and fix the specific issue Meta called out.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Scan for other potential issues">
    While you're editing, check sample values, category fit, and language match.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save to resubmit">
    Saving submits the updated template again. The status moves back to PENDING.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Each rejection adds a small friction mark to your WABA's template reputation. Multiple sloppy resubmissions of the same template can slow down future reviews. Fix thoroughly the first time.
</Warning>

## Best practices for fast approvals

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Submit during business hours">
    Meta's review queues move faster during their working hours.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Avoid aggressive marketing language">
    "FREE", "LIMITED TIME!!!", "ACT NOW" and similar phrases trigger extra scrutiny.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Always provide realistic example values">
    Clear, real-looking examples are the single biggest signal of legitimacy.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Include an opt-out in Marketing templates">
    "Reply STOP to unsubscribe" signals good faith to Meta and to recipients.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Start with small, simple templates">
    Plain-text templates approve fastest. Build up to media and variables once your account has a clean history.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Don't resubmit an unchanged rejected template">
    It will just be rejected again. Always make the fix Meta called out.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Can I edit an approved template?">
    No. Once approved, a template is locked. To change it, create a new template with a different name (e.g. append `_v2`).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I cancel a PENDING submission?">
    No. Once submitted, you have to wait for Meta's decision. If the result is REJECTED, you can then edit and resubmit.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does Meta charge for approvals?">
    No. Template approval is free. You're charged only when you send messages — see [Billing & Subscription](/settings/billing-subscription).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I have multiple versions of the same template?">
    Yes. Each must have a unique name. A common pattern is `welcome_message_v1`, `welcome_message_v2`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My template has been PENDING for 48 hours — what now?">
    Contact support with the template name. We can raise the review queue with Meta.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why can't I see why Meta rejected my template inside Xobito?">
    Meta's rejection reason is not currently stored in Xobito's database. Check Meta Business Manager for the reason, or contact support to pull it from the server logs.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Create a template" icon="file-pen" href="/templates/create-template">
    Step-by-step walkthrough with screenshots.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Variables & media" icon="image" href="/templates/variables-and-media">
    Headers, media uploads, and variable rules.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Dynamic templates" icon="wand-magic-sparkles" href="/templates/dynamic-templates">
    Personalise each recipient's message with variables.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Templates overview" icon="layer-group" href="/templates/overview">
    Back to the top-level guide.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>