You’re reaching out to a lot of new contacts on WhatsApp. But as you’re sending your messages, you receive this notification from WhatsApp: “Your account is restricted right now.” What does it mean, and why did it happen?
If your account is being restricted by WhatsApp and you’re unable to message your leads, you’re not alone. Receiving this notification means that WhatsApp has temporarily limited your activities, including your ability to message, save contacts, or create groups. So what’s the workaround for messaging leads at scale safely?
Let’s break down what the “Your account is restricted right now” notification means and how to ensure you don’t encounter the same issue in the future.
What is WhatsApp Restricted Mode?
WhatsApp Restricted Mode refers to a situation where most of your WhatsApp activities are temporarily limited. This includes restrictions on sending messages, saving contacts, and creating groups. When your account enters Restricted Mode, you’ll usually see a notification that says “Your account is restricted right now.”
During this period, however, you can still receive calls and messages from other people as usual and only reply to the WhatsApp messages initiated by others..
Why did WhatsApp restrict my account?
WhatsApp enforces strict Terms of Service to prevent spam and fraud. Unfortunately, these policies may occasionally affect genuine business messaging. Receiving the in-app notification means your activity has been flagged by WhatsApp as suspicious, unusual, or potentially in violation of its policies, even if no one has reported you. This typically happens when you send too many messages to too many people within a short period of time.
WhatsApp usually sends you a warning message like the following before restricting your account if you’re using third-party tools to send bulk messages:
When you receive the message, review all your activities and tools to avoid your account from getting restricted or banned.
Here are some common reasons behind WhatsApp account restrictions:
- Bulk messaging or automation
- Sending messages to a lot of people in a short period of time.
- Using unofficial tools and auto-senders for unauthorised bulk messaging.
- High block / report rate
- If people block or report your number as spam, WhatsApp sees it as potential abuse and may restrict your account. Keep in mind that being reported by too many people can lead to a permanent ban, not just a temporary restriction. However, WhatsApp may initially apply restrictions in some cases and only move to a full ban if the violations continue.
- Cold outreach as “unknown number”
- Sending messages to people who haven’t saved your number or interacted with you before also can lead to a restriction.
How long does WhatsApp restriction last?
If you’re receiving the in-app notification “Your account is restricted right now,” you’ll also see a timer that tells you how long your restriction will last. It’s usually 24 hours. In some cases, the restriction can last up to 48 hours.
You can only wait for the restriction to end to restore the full range of WhatsApp features. Until then, you may want to review your activities, assess what might have caused the restriction, and avoid that in future. You’ll receive a notification on your WhatsApp when the restriction ends.
How to avoid getting restricted on WhatsApp
Restrictions can hurt your business if you use WhatsApp to frequently communicate with your customers and send outreach messages to new leads. Here are a few messaging practices you can follow to avoid getting restricted on WhatsApp:
Use WhatsApp Business API
The WhatsApp Business API is designed for authorised, large-scale customer engagement. It allows you to send approved template messages to many users while maintaining full compliance with WhatsApp’s business communication policies. With WhatsApp Business API, you can automate various communications without triggering spam restrictions.
Keep in mind that the WhatsApp API itself is not a user-facing app like WhatsApp Business or the personal WhatsApp app. It’s a set of developer endpoints that allow systems to send and receive messages programmatically. If you want to automate, you must connect it to a CRM, chatbot builder, or campaign management tool.
Avoid sending messages to unsaved numbers
WhatsApp’s algorithm flags accounts that frequently message too many unsaved or unresponsive contacts. Always reach out to people who have shown interest in your business, for example, those who filled out a lead form, clicked on an ad, or contacted you directly. This ensures your messages are well-received and considered legitimate.
Use Broadcast Lists responsibly
Broadcast messages are a great way to reach multiple people at once, but WhatsApp only delivers them to contacts who have saved your number. Overusing broadcasts or sending generic promotions can lead to restrictions.
Avoid spammy or template-like messages
Repeated or promotional-looking messages are quickly detected by WhatsApp’s anti-spam system. Instead of sending identical texts like “Hi, we have a great offer for you,” try sending personalised and contextual messages that mention the recipient’s name, inquiry, or past interaction.
If you’re generating a lot of leads from different sources, it’s understandable how important it is to reach out to new leads quickly. If you need to contact them via WhatsApp, the best and safest approach is to use the WhatsApp API or CRMs like Privyr that lets you run powerful automations from your existing WhatsApp Business app.
If you have yet to incorporate these tools into your sales process, there are still a few best practices you can follow to reduce the risk of restrictions:
- Keep your messages short and clear.
- Compose or paste your messages directly in WhatsApp, instead of sending them automatically from your CRM (if you’re using one).
- Pause periodically after sending messages to 10 – 15 leads. Wait for some replies before sending another batch.
What are the best alternatives for messaging at scale on WhatsApp
WhatsApp restrictions are usually triggered by your messaging activity, or more specifically, by sending messages at scale. However, for sales teams that rely heavily on WhatsApp, messaging a lot of new leads quickly is essential. These restrictions often occur when you’re using a regular WhatsApp account as a business tool. Fortunately, there are several safe and compliant ways to message at scale on WhatsApp.
1. Using Privyr (least technical)
Privyr is an Official WhatsApp Partner that helps you manage, engage, and convert all your WhatsApp leads more efficiently. The mobile-first CRM includes a WhatsApp Auto-Responder feature that automatically replies to new leads 24/7, with personalised, pre-approved messages sent from your own number.
Typically, when using a CRM to send messages at scale, you’d need to connect through the WhatsApp Business API, and sometimes this may cause you to lose access to your existing chats and Business app. However, Privyr makes it much simpler by integrating directly with your regular WhatsApp Business account. All you need to do is connect your WhatsApp Business number and start creating your message templates.
Messages sent via the Auto-Responder have to be pre-approved by WhatsApp, which typically takes less than a minute, ensuring they comply with WhatsApp’s guidelines and aren’t flagged as spam or suspicious. That said, it’s still important to keep your communication professional, as recipients can still report messages if they find them inappropriate.
Watch the video for a complete tutorial on setting up a WhatsApp Auto-Responder in Privyr.
2. Using WhatsApp Cloud API (Meta) or WhatsApp API (with a partner)
WhatsApp Business API is an official interface by Meta that enables businesses to send, receive, and automate WhatsApp messages at scale through software or CRMs — without risking account restrictions.
There are two main ways to use it: through the WhatsApp Cloud API or via a WhatsApp Business API partner.
The WhatsApp Cloud API is hosted and managed directly by Meta, making it faster and easier to set up and can be ideal for medium to large businesses.
Alternatively, you can connect through official partners like Twilio or Privyr, which provide backend access to the API and additional tools for automation, integration, and analytics.
With WhatsApp API integration, you can create automated workflows such as “Send a welcome message after signup” or “Follow up if the user doesn’t reply in 2 days.” It allows for rule-based, compliant messaging that can be linked with CRMs, chatbots, and marketing platforms.
While partner-hosted APIs require some technical setup and Meta approval, the Cloud API doesn’t need server management. Both options work under the same rules for automation and large-scale messaging.
3. Running Click-to-WhatsApp Ads (only for Meta leads)
If you’re generating leads exclusively from Facebook Lead Ads, using Meta’s Click-to-WhatsApp Ads is a safe and effective alternative to bulk messaging on WhatsApp. It lets people message you directly from your Facebook or Instagram ads. When someone clicks on your ad and starts a WhatsApp chat, it counts as an opt-in, meaning you can freely message them within 24 hours or later using approved message templates without being flagged or restricted.
This works because the user initiates the conversation and you’re merely responding to them, staying fully compliant with WhatsApp’s anti-spam rules. You can manage these chats manually or connect to CRMs like Privyr to automate replies, follow-ups, and lead tracking. Keep in mind that Click-to-WhatsApp Ads are available only for Meta platforms.
Final words
If you’re a small or medium-sized business looking to organise your WhatsApp communications in a scalable and managed way, using the WhatsApp Business API (or the WhatsApp Cloud API) may involve both costs and complexities, especially if your team lacks technical expertise.
First, the API is technical. You’ll likely need help from a developer, an expert, or a third-party provider to set it up, integrate it with your systems (CRM, databases, etc.), and maintain it. Second, there are multiple cost components like WhatsApp / Meta conversation or message fees, gateway fees, CRM costs etc.
Fortunately, Privyr helps you manage your WhatsApp communication in a non-technical, straightforward way. With Privyr, you can skip the technical setup and extra costs, as it integrates directly with your WhatsApp Business account and lets you message at scale using your regular app.
Privyr offers a 14-day free trial of its pro plan where you can try WhatsApp Automations at scale. Try it today to know if it’s the right tool to fit your needs.
