How to create a list
- Android: three-dot menu › New broadcast, then pick contacts.
- iPhone: in Chats, Broadcast lists › New list.
- Name the list, write the message and it goes to everyone on it.
Each list has a maximum number of recipients (for years it was 256; Meta has been changing this and adding paid marketing messages to the Business app in some countries, so check WhatsApp's help centre).
Why some contacts don't receive it
A broadcast only reaches people who have your number saved in their phone. That's WhatsApp's protection against spam. It's why broadcasts work for your customers and not for a bought list.
What to send, and the rules
Works well: updates customers welcome (new opening hours, their order is ready, a place has opened on a course they waitlisted for) and news for people who asked to hear from you. Doesn't: the same offer every week, chain messages, or anyone who doesn't know you. Every block or report counts against your number.
Broadcast, group, community or channel
- Broadcast: private message to each person, private replies.
- Group: everyone sees everyone; not suitable for customers who don't know each other.
- Community: several groups with an announcements channel.
- Channel: public one-way updates to followers, who can't see each other's numbers or reply in the channel.
What happens next: the replies
A good broadcast brings replies, and each one is a conversation someone has to handle. That's where sales slip: the update goes out fine, but twenty replies get answered late. MultiChats puts an AI agent on those replies, in your tone, and flags who's interested. It doesn't send bulk messages itself. For real volume, the right route is the official API with approved templates.
Frequently asked questions
Can recipients tell it's a broadcast?
No. They don't see other recipients; it arrives as a normal message in your chat with them.
Why didn't my broadcast reach some people?
Because those contacts haven't saved your number. It's a WhatsApp rule, not a fault.
Can broadcasts get my number banned?
If lots of recipients block or report you, yes. Only send to people who know you and want the message.
Can I schedule broadcasts?
Not in the app. You need the API through a provider or an external tool; check its terms first.