WhatsApp: let your AI setter work on WhatsApp too

WhatsApp is where a huge share of the world already talks to businesses. SetterStack lets your AI setter handle those conversations the same way it handles Instagram and Facebook DMs — qualifying leads and driving to your booking link, automatically.

WhatsApp connects through Meta, so there are a few one-time setup steps Meta requires. This article walks you through them in plain English.

01What you'll need before you connect

1. A Facebook/Meta Business account. WhatsApp Business runs inside Meta's system — we'll guide you to it during connect.
2. A phone number that isn't already on WhatsApp Business. It can be a mobile or landline you control (you'll get a verification code).
3. A card on file with Meta. Meta requires a payment method on your WhatsApp Business account before you're allowed to start conversations. This is Meta's rule, not ours — SetterStack never charges your card, and replying to people who message you first is free.

02Connecting your number

From Settings → Accounts, click Connect WhatsApp. We open Meta's secure window where you sign in, pick your number, and come right back to SetterStack. Then choose the number you want your setter to use.

Each number you connect counts as one connected account, the same as an Instagram or Facebook account.

03The 24-hour window (the one rule to know)

WhatsApp has a simple rule that protects users from spam:

• Within 24 hours of someone messaging you, you (and your AI setter) can reply freely — normal back-and-forth, no restrictions, no extra cost.
• After 24 hours of silence, WhatsApp only allows a pre-approved template message to re-open the conversation. Meta bills templates directly.

In your inbox, every WhatsApp conversation shows a small pill:

• Open · Xh left — you're inside the window, reply away.
• Window closed · template required — send an approved template to reopen it, and your AI resumes once they reply.

This is why the fastest response wins: the sooner your setter replies, the more of the free window you use.

04Quality rating & sending limits

Meta watches how people react to your messages and assigns your number a quality rating:

• Healthy (green) — you're in good standing.
• Watch (yellow) — some messages were marked unwanted; ease off.
• Limited (red) — quality dropped; slow down and it recovers on its own.

New numbers start with a daily limit on how many new people you can message (Meta raises it automatically as you build a good track record). Replies inside the 24-hour window don't count against this.

How to stay healthy: only message people who want to hear from you, keep it relevant, and let your setter do what it does best — respond fast to people who reached out first.

05Tips

• Lead with inbound. WhatsApp rewards conversations they start. Put your WhatsApp link in your bio, posts, and ads so people message you — then the 24-hour window is wide open and everything's free.
• Let the AI handle the window. Your setter replies the instant someone messages, using the free window automatically. Check the Inbox any time to take over.
• Keep numbers healthy. One relevant conversation beats ten cold blasts — and it keeps your sending limits climbing.

See also: Connecting your accounts · Messaging windows & Meta compliance · The Inbox