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Use a catalog template to let customers browse your connected catalog.
Meta catalog template labeling the product thumbnail, message body, and View catalog button.

The View catalog button opens the connected catalog inside WhatsApp.

Source: Meta official example. The customer selects View catalog to open the catalog inside WhatsApp.
Meta example of an opened catalog, with products, quantities, and View cart.

Customers can browse products and build a cart. A cart is not proof of payment.

Source: Meta official example.

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Choose this format deliberately

Catalog templates follow marketing-template requirements. A customer must be eligible for that marketing message even if the products themselves are approved.

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Prepare the assets

Before creating the template:
  1. Identify the WABA and sending number.
  2. Confirm the intended Meta catalog is connected to the relevant WhatsApp assets.
  3. Check that the catalog has available, policy-compliant items.
  4. Record the exact product retailer IDs, shown as Content ID in Commerce Manager.
  5. Choose a suitable product image for the message thumbnail.
  6. Confirm who handles cart submissions and order questions.
An internal stock-system ID is not necessarily the catalog’s retailer ID. Match the actual value; product names are not identifiers.

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Create and send

The existing YCloud guide uses API creation and sending for this format. Do not assume that every console template editor or campaign composer exposes it. Create the marketing template with its body, review examples, and supported CATALOG button. After approval, reference the exact template name and language when sending. The send-time button subtype is catalog. Its action can include thumbnail_product_retailer_id to select the catalog item whose image appears in the message. This changes the thumbnail, not the catalog into a one-product selection. YCloud’s contract documents a first-catalog-item image fallback when the relevant parameters are omitted. For a predictable campaign, choose a valid thumbnail explicitly and test the result rather than relying on catalog ordering. See Manage templates and Send WhatsApp messages for the complete requests.

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Verify the customer journey

Send a controlled test and check:
  • The thumbnail represents the offer.
  • View catalog opens the intended catalog.
  • Products have current images, prices, availability, and currency.
  • The recipient can make the supported selection.
  • Your team or integration receives the resulting inquiry or order request.
  • Payment and fulfillment are handled separately.
A template can remain approved while catalog items change. Recheck the live catalog before each campaign.

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Troubleshoot

If the catalog cannot open, inspect the sender’s catalog relationship and current commerce settings. If only one image or product fails, check its retailer ID, availability, and catalog record. A submitted cart is customer intent, not proof of stock reservation or payment. Follow Catalogs and commerce to validate the transaction before promising fulfillment.