WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps globally, with over 2 billion active users. One of its most useful features is the broadcast list, which allows you to easily send messages to multiple contacts at once.
What is a broadcast list?
A broadcast list, also known as a broadcast group, is a custom contact group that you can create within WhatsApp. You can add up to 256 contacts to a broadcast list and then send a message to all of them simultaneously.
When you send a message to a broadcast list, it will be delivered individually to each recipient, rather than in a group chat. The recipients won’t see each other’s phone numbers and will only be able to reply privately to you, not the whole list.
How to create a broadcast list
Creating a broadcast list in WhatsApp is easy and only takes a few steps:
- Open WhatsApp and tap on the Chats tab.
- Tap on the three dots menu icon in the top right corner.
- Select New broadcast from the menu.
- You’ll be prompted to give the broadcast a name – this is optional but can help you identify the purpose of the list.
- Tap on the plus icon to add recipients from your contacts. You can add up to 256.
- Once you’ve finished selecting all your recipients, tap the check mark icon to create the list.
Your new broadcast list will now be available whenever you want to send a broadcast message within WhatsApp.
How to send messages to a broadcast list
Once you’ve created a broadcast list, sending messages to everyone on it is simple:
- Open the Chats tab in WhatsApp.
- Tap on the broadcast list you want to message.
- Type out your message as normal in the message box.
- Hit send and your message will be delivered to all recipients individually.
You can send text, images, videos, documents, voice messages, contacts, and location to your broadcast list. The process is the same as sending a normal chat message.
Benefits of using broadcast lists
Broadcast lists offer several benefits that make them useful in various situations:
- Save time – You can instantly reach all your desired recipients with one tap rather than messaging each contact individually.
- Targeted messaging – You can segment your contacts into different lists based on purpose, such as family, close friends, work colleagues, etc.
- Announcements and alerts – Quickly inform groups about important news and events.
- Promotions and offers – Businesses can advertise sales and deals to their customer base.
- Private communication – Recipients don’t see each others’ numbers or reply in a group chat.
Use cases
Here are some examples of ways both personal and professional users can utilize WhatsApp broadcast lists:
Personal uses
- Share family news, events, photos.
- Organize events and coordinate RSVPs.
- Send holiday wishes to friends.
- Announce a new phone number.
- Notify contacts of your new address.
Business uses
- Send notifications about new products, sales, or store openings.
- Share company news and announcements with employees.
- Send event reminders, confirmations, and updates.
- Share podcasts, videos, articles relevant to customers.
- Send coupons, special offers, and promotions.
Nonprofit and community uses
- Rally people for donations, volunteers, events.
- Send newsletters and organizational updates.
- Share community alerts and public service announcements.
- Promote advocacy and petition campaigns.
- Recruit volunteers for projects and initiatives.
Tips for using broadcast lists effectively
To get the most out of WhatsApp broadcast lists, keep these tips in mind:
- Name your lists clearly based on their purpose or audience.
- Segment your contacts into targeted, relevant lists.
- Customize messages for each list rather than blindly mass messaging.
- Only add recipients who have agreed to receive your broadcasts.
- Use sparingly – no more than 1-2 broadcasts per week per list.
- Send at optimal times when recipients are likely available.
- Follow up important broadcasts with individual messaging.
- Periodically review and update your lists by adding or removing contacts.
- Avoid oversharing unimportant information.
- Personalize messages with names or other details when relevant.
WhatsApp broadcast list limits
WhatsApp does impose some limits on broadcast messaging to prevent abuse:
- Maximum 256 recipients per broadcast list.
- Maximum 256 broadcast lists per WhatsApp account.
- Accounts can only send a certain number of broadcasts per 24 hour period:
- Approved business accounts: 1,024 broadcasts
- Normal accounts: 5 broadcasts
- Reaching out to recipients who have not contacted you before could get your messages marked as spam.
- You may be blocked from sending broadcasts for violating terms of service.
Keeping your broadcasting within reasonable limits will help avoid issues.
Conclusion
In summary, WhatsApp’s broadcast list feature provides a convenient way to reach multiple contacts while maintaining privacy. Segmenting your contacts into targeted lists allows you to send relevant, personalized messages. When used appropriately, broadcast messaging can save time and improve engagement with your contacts and audience. Just be sure not to overuse broadcasts, only add willing participants, and customize your messages to provide value for recipients.