A WhatsApp Business Username is a unique identifier that Meta provides for business phone numbers. With a Business Username, your customers can search for your business directly in WhatsApp instead of remembering international dialing codes and phone numbers. This document explains the naming rules, claim process, and recommended practices for Business Usernames.
Feature overview
A Business Username allows customers to find the corresponding business phone number and start a conversation by searching the username in WhatsApp.
Using a Business Username does not hide your business phone number. The number continues to be displayed in your Business Profile.
Core rules
Uniqueness
Business Usernames are unique across the entire WhatsApp system. Each Business Username corresponds to only one business phone number, and each phone number can have only one Business Username at any given time.
Naming rules
Rule | Description |
Allowed characters | Lowercase letters (a–z), digits (0–9), periods ( |
Length | 3 to 35 characters |
Letter requirement | Must contain at least one letter |
Period restrictions | Cannot start or end with a period; cannot contain two consecutive periods |
Prefix restrictions | Cannot start with |
Suffix restrictions | Cannot end with a domain suffix such as |
Special characters | Non-Latin characters (such as ñ, é, ü) are not supported. Including such characters causes the application to fail. |
Case sensitivity | Case-insensitive, but periods and underscores are treated as different characters. For example, |
Chat window display priority
In the WhatsApp chat window, business profile information is displayed in the following priority order (highest to lowest):
Saved contact name (the name the user has saved for your business number in their contacts)
Verified phone display name or Official Business Account (OBA) name
Business Username
Business phone number
Claiming a reserved business username
You can claim the Business Username that WhatsApp has reserved for you, or apply for a different username that better suits your brand. Claimed and approved Business Usernames take effect when Meta officially enables the Username feature in the corresponding country, not immediately upon approval.
If your reserved Business Username is associated with a Facebook Page or Instagram account, you must link your business phone number to that account before claiming it. For detailed linking steps, see the first question in the FAQ section.
If your reserved Business Username is associated with a Facebook Page or Instagram account, link your business phone number to the corresponding account before you proceed. For detailed steps, see the first question in the FAQ section.
Claim a business username
You can use either of the following methods:
Log on to the Chat App Messaging Service console, and go to , and then claim a Business Username in the Business Account column of the target phone number.
Log in to , enter or select a username, and then click Save.
Recommendations
Identify target numbers — Prioritize claiming usernames for numbers that serve as customer-facing entry points, such as customer service numbers, sales consultation numbers, and official brand numbers.
Plan your naming scheme — Plan usernames based on your brand name, region, or business line for consistency. Examples:
brand_service,brand_sg,brand_store.Apply early — Business Usernames are unique. Complete your application as soon as the feature is available to prevent your brand name from being claimed by others.
FAQ
Q: What should I do if my Business Username application is unavailable or rejected?
A Business Username may be unavailable for the following reasons:
Username already taken — Business Usernames are unique across the entire WhatsApp system. If the target username has already been claimed, apply with a different name.
Does not comply with naming rules — Check whether the username contains non-Latin characters, domain suffixes, consecutive periods, or other disallowed characters. Adjust and resubmit.
Reserved username association issue — If the reserved username is associated with a Facebook Page or Instagram account, you must link your business phone number to the corresponding account before claiming it. Follow these steps:
Visit your Facebook Page or Instagram account.
Go to account settings and find the phone number options.
Add your business phone number and complete the verification.
Return to the Business Username claim process to complete the claim.
NoteThis linking operation requires full control of the corresponding Facebook Page or Instagram account, or basic partial access with the
manage_phonepermission. If you do not have sufficient permissions, contact your account administrator for assistance.For detailed steps, see Requesting to Connect Your Facebook Page to Your WhatsApp Business Phone Number.
Q: When will my Business Username take effect after I claim it?
Claimed and approved Business Usernames take effect when WhatsApp officially launches the feature. The current claiming process is focused on securing your name. After the feature launches, customers can find your number by searching for your Business Username.
Q: Can one phone number have multiple Business Usernames?
No. Each phone number can have only one Business Username at any given time, and each Business Username corresponds to only one phone number.
Q: After using a Business Username, can customers still find me by phone number?
Yes. A Business Username does not hide your business phone number. The phone number is still displayed on your business profile. Customers can find you by either your Business Username or phone number.
Q: Can I change my Business Username?
Yes. To change your Business Username, go to > Phone Number Management. After the change, the original Business Username is released.
ImportantConfirm your new username before making the change to prevent others from claiming your original name.