WhatsApp Business Display Name: Guidelines, How to Change It, and Declined Fixes

Changing your display name correctly helps prevent repeated declines and ensures the updated name is submitted through the right Meta workflow. The process depends on your account type, and your business should meet the prerequisites before submitting a change.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Before You Begin
• Steps to Change Your Display Name in Meta WhatsApp Manager
• Official Business Accounts (OBA)
• What Happens After Submission?
• After Approval: Update Registration Based on Your Platform
• Best Practices to Prevent Another Decline
• Important Notes
• Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Begin

Make sure the following requirements are met:

• A business portfolio has been created.
  
  

• You signed up for the WhatsApp Business Platform by:
  
  

  1. Creating a WhatsApp Business account through a Business Solution Provider (BSP), or

  2. Setting up a WhatsApp Business account as a BSP.
     
     

• A connected phone number is linked to your WhatsApp Business account.
  
  

• Your business qualifies for a display name review.

Steps to Change Your Display Name in Meta WhatsApp Manager

1. Go to Meta Business Manager and select your business.
   
   

2. Click WhatsApp Manager.
   
   

3. Select the WhatsApp account where you want to update the display name.
   
   

4. In the left-hand menu, click Phone Numbers.
   
   

5. Under the Name column, hover over the current display name and click the pencil icon.
   
   

6. In Edit Display Name, enter your new display name.
   
   

7. Click Next to submit the change for approval.

Official Business Accounts (OBA)

Official Business Accounts (OBA) follow a different process for display name changes.

• For Official Business Accounts (OBA): Contact Direct Support for assistance.
  
  

• For regular business accounts: Use the self-serve steps above in WhatsApp Manager.

What Happens After Submission?

Meta handles the confirmation/review outcome after you submit the display name change:

• If your business is NOT verified: Your display name will be immediately confirmed, and the certificate will be available for download.
  
  

• If your business IS verified, your display name will show a Pending Review label under Certificate in the Phone Numbers section. Once approved, a View button will appear so you can download the certificate.

After Approval: Update Registration Based on Your Platform

Once your new display name is approved, update it using the correct registration method:

• WhatsApp Business Platform (Cloud API): Register the number using the Registration endpoint (no certificate needed).
  
  

• WhatsApp Business Platform (On-Premises API): Register the new display name using the Account endpoint.

Best Practices to Prevent Another Decline

• If your brand is a one-word name, avoid spaces.
  
  

• Avoid emojis, slogans, unnecessary capitalization, and stylized symbols.
  
  

• Keep the display name strongly tied to your verified business identity and assets.
  
  

Example (legal name: Owner Connector Solutions Ltd):

✅ Owner Connector

✅ OwnerConnector Solutions

❌ OwnerConnector Official

Important Notes

1. Businesses can change their display name up to 10 times within 30 days. After 30 days, a new cycle begins with the same limit.
   
   

2. The new display name certificate is only valid for 14 days. If it expires, you’ll need to resubmit the display name for approval.
   
   

3. A display name review is no longer required to get started on the WhatsApp Business Platform.
   
   

   • Approval is still necessary if you want your display name shown instead of your phone number.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why is the WhatsApp Business display name important?
Your display name is the first thing customers see when interacting with your business on WhatsApp. It should be clear, professional, and accurately represent your business while following WhatsApp’s policies.

Q. What are the key guidelines for setting up a display name?

Your display name must:

• Comply with WhatsApp’s Commerce and Business policies.
• Clearly represent your business, product, service, or department.
• Be linked to your business, even if it’s a test or demo account.

Your display name should not:

• Be a generic term (e.g., "Fashion").
• Be a geographic location (e.g., "New York").
• Include words like Official or Verified that imply WhatsApp verification.
• Contain Meta product names such as "WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger".

Q. Can I use a display name that includes a restricted product or service?
No. Your display name should not include any restricted or prohibited items under WhatsApp’s Commerce Policy.

Example:

• Accepted: Sarah’s Sporting Goods Shop
  
  
• Not Accepted: Sarah’s Sporting Goods Shop – Guns Department

Q. What if my business is a test or demo account?
Test/demo accounts must still be linked to a business and should use a relevant name (example: Fresh Produce Test).

Q. Who can change their WhatsApp Business Display Name?
Any business using the WhatsApp Business Platform can change their display name, but the process differs:

• Regular business accounts can change it through WhatsApp Manager.
  
  

• Official Business Accounts (OBA) must contact Direct Support.

Q. What are the requirements for changing my display name?
You need a business portfolio, a WhatsApp Business Platform signup via a BSP (or as a BSP), a connected phone number linked to your WhatsApp Business account, and eligibility for display name review.

Q. How long does it take for my display name to be approved?
Approval typically takes a few minutes to a few hours, but in some cases it may take longer.

Q. Can I change my display name multiple times?
Yes. You can change your display name up to 10 times within a 30-day period. After that, you must wait for a new cycle.

Q. What if my display name certificate expires?
If the certificate expires after 14 days, you’ll need to resubmit your display name for approval.