1. Choose a platform and prepare reception
The YCloud CTWA documentation provides two setup paths. Choose the platform where you plan to advertise. For the overall concept, read CTWA Introduction.
If your number is not connected, first connect WhatsApp to YCloud. Before advertising, arrange reception and configure conversation assignment rules. Decide who collects customer needs, when sales takes over, and what happens when nobody is available.
2. Connect the account and create an ad for your platform
Meta
- Start the ad-account connection in YCloud CTWA. Use a Facebook account with the required access to authorize the target account, then confirm it appears in the list. For authorization, permissions, and shared assets, see Connect a Meta Ad Account.
- In Meta Ads Manager, create an ad with WhatsApp as its messaging destination. Check the Page and receiving number, then configure the audience, budget, creative, and opening message. Linking the Page to the number is separate from authorizing the ad account. See Create a Click-to-WhatsApp Ad.
- Preview the ad and the experience after WhatsApp opens. Check the number and opening content, then submit the ad through the platform’s review process.
Start the Meta connection with Connect Facebook. Authorization and account selection follow on the platform.
TikTok
- Authorize the TikTok ad account in YCloud CTWA, link the WhatsApp number that will receive inquiries, and confirm the related event set was created. Follow Connect TikTok Ad Account.
- Create a messaging ad in TikTok Ads Manager using the account and number you linked. Complete the creative, delivery, and review settings. Use Create TikTok Instant Messaging Ad to check the resources and destination. Available controls depend on account eligibility and the current platform interface.
- Check that the ad opens the same WhatsApp number you linked in YCloud.
3. Turn inquiries into leads your team can follow up
Handle visitors from both platforms in YCloud Inbox. Check the path from an ad to a conversation:- Confirm that a conversation reaches Inbox after the customer opens WhatsApp from the ad and sends a message.
- Check assignment to the intended person, team, or Agent, and test replies and human handoff.
- Check the platform’s ad source. For new contacts, Meta can show
Source = AD, while TikTok can showSource = TikTok AD. See Receive CTWA Visitors for other source fields and troubleshooting.
4. Report meaningful outcomes to the platform
An inquiry is the starting point. Define the later actions you want to measure, such as meeting qualification criteria, confirming an appointment, placing an order, or completing payment. Choose a trigger that matches how you confirm that result.
In CTWA → Track Events, select the appropriate platform resources, configure the event and trigger, and enable reporting to that platform. The configuration targets and event options differ, so follow the relevant guide:
- Meta: Report CTWA Ad Results to Meta covers
Lead,Purchase, Report to Meta, and verification. The default mappedEngagesignal does not represent an actual sale and must not be used directly to calculate sales revenue. - TikTok: Report Ad Results to TikTok explains how to configure events for the ad account and number, enable Report to TikTok, and check receipt in the corresponding event source.
5. Review ad data alongside follow-up results
Open CTWA → Ad Manage, select a connected ad account, and review the available ad data. Use View Leads and Track Events for related leads and events. Follow CTWA Analysis to review Meta or TikTok data and check delivery and reported results in the corresponding platform.
For customers who have given the appropriate permission and need further follow-up, continue with the Campaign or Journey marketing workflow. An ad inquiry does not grant permanent marketing permission. Follow the customer opt-in and messaging-window rules for subsequent messages.
After the first cycle, you should know whether ads produced real conversations, your team handled the leads, conversations produced business outcomes, and those outcomes were recorded correctly. Use that evidence to adjust the next round of advertising and follow-up.

