What are WhatsApp Interactive Messages in MyOperator and how do I use them inside my chatbot?
⚡Quick answer -
Interactive Messages let your chatbot send tappable Buttons, Lists, or rich Media cards (with or without action buttons). They remove typing errors, speed up choices, and work automatically within WhatsApp’s 24-hour session window—no template approval needed.
When should I use this guide?
Read on if you build chatbots that:
• Send automated replies during the 24-hour customer-service window.
• Need guided menus (1–10 options) or product cards instead of free-text prompts.
• Want to avoid common formatting errors (e.g., >3 buttons or >10 list rows).
1. Feature overview
WhatsApp Interactive Messages are special formats that allow your chatbot to send tappable options instead of plain text. This makes chatbot conversations faster and more guided for the customer.
WhatsApp supports four “session reply” formats that need only correct text formatting—no template approval.
• Buttons (1–3 choices)
• List Message (4–10 choices)
• Media (image/video/doc + caption)
• Media + Buttons (media with up to 3 action buttons)
Top benefits:
✓ Faster replies—customers tap, don’t type
✓ Guided flows—fewer drop-offs and errors
✓ Consistent UI—standard format across agents and bots
✓ Higher conversions—product cards with “Buy Now” actions
2. When will Interactive Messages NOT work?
• Outside the 24-hour customer-service window.
• More than 3 buttons in a Buttons message (WhatsApp limit).
• More than 10 rows in a List message.
• Button label over 20 characters, or list-row title over 24 characters.
• Captions longer than a couple of short lines (users may see truncated text).
• Dead or placeholder URLs for Media messages.
3. Prerequisites & char/row limits
Item | Limit |
Buttons per message | 1–3 |
Characters per button label | ≤ 20 |
List rows per message | 4–10 |
Characters per list-row title | ≤ 24 |
Action buttons in Media + Buttons | ≤ 3 |
Caption length (Media / Media+Btn) | 1–2 short lines |
4. Message-type comparison matrix
Type | Best for | Min–Max options | Key syntax cue |
Buttons | 1-3 quick actions | 1–3 | Each option starts with “- ” |
List Message | 4-10 menu items | 4–10 | Numbered list “1. …” |
Media | File + short note | N/A | URL on first line |
Media + Buttons | Single product card | 1–3 | URL + “Actions:” list |
5. Step-by-step formatting guides
1. Buttons
Format example :
Tell me what you need:
- Brochure
- Price Sheet
- Schedule Visit
Rules:
• 1–3 lines, each beginning with “- ”.
• Every label ≤ 20 characters.
Alt text: Sample use of buttons
2. List Message
Format Example:
Please pick a showtime:
- 10:00 AM — Screen 1
- 12:30 PM — Screen 2
- 03:15 PM — Screen 3
- 06:45 PM — Screen 1
Rules:
• 4–10 numbered rows.
• Each row title ≤ 24 characters.
• Split longer menus into batches of 10.
Alt text: sample use of list message
3. Media (Image, media or document)
Format example:
https://cdn.example.com/brochures/project-x.pdf
Caption: "Here is the Project X brochure you requested."
Rules:
• First line is a direct, accessible URL.
• Keep caption to one or two short lines.
Alt text: sample use of media
4. Media + Buttons (Product card style)
Format example:
https://cdn.example.com/images/runner-pro.jpg
Caption: "Runner Pro — Special Offer: ₹2,499"
Actions:
- View Details
- Buy Now
- Add to Cart
Best practice:
Feature one product per message. The platform can split multiples, but single cards avoid overwhelming users.
Alt text: sample use of media + buttons
6. Best-practice checklist
👍 DO | 👎 DON’T |
Keep labels short. | Exceed 3 buttons / 10 rows. |
Write each option on its own line (- Option). | Use vague questions (“What do you want?”). |
Send one product per Media + Buttons. | Paste long captions or button text. |
Provide working media URLs. | Invent links/options the bot can’t fulfil. |
Keywords - WhatsApp interactive messages, chatbot buttons, list message format, media with buttons, 24-hour session, product card
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