--- title: Run Messenger and WhatsApp ads description: How to run Messenger and WhatsApp ads using the Messages campaign goal on Meta. Covers the campaign flow, destination setup, platform differences, and common issues. --- [Skip to content](https://help.plai.io/run-messenger-whatsapp-ads#main-content) [Submit a Ticket!](https://help.plai.io/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Submit a Ticket!](https://help.plai.io/kb-tickets/new) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Plai Help Center](https://help.plai.io/?hsLang=en) 2. [Launch Campaigns](https://help.plai.io/launch-campaigns?hsLang=en) 3. [Campaign features](https://help.plai.io/launch-campaigns?hsLang=en#campaign-features) # Run Messenger and WhatsApp ads ## Messages ads send people directly into a Messenger or WhatsApp conversation with your business when they tap the ad. They're ideal for driving qualified conversations, answering pre-sales questions, or qualifying leads in real time. #### Before you begin - Your Meta ad account must be connected. See *Connect Meta (Facebook & Instagram)*. - For **WhatsApp ads:** you need a WhatsApp Business account linked to the same Facebook page as your workspace. WhatsApp must be connected in the Facebook page settings Linked Accounts section before it will appear as a destination option. ### How to launch a Messages campaign 1. Go to the **Advertise** tab and select **Meta**. 2. Choose **Messages** as your campaign goal. 3. Build your **creative** — image or video, headline, and primary text. Use copy that encourages a conversation (e.g., "Chat with us," "Get a free quote," "Ask us anything"). 4. Set your **audience** — location, demographics, interests, or a saved audience. 5. In the **Destination** step, choose where conversations open: - **Messenger** — conversations start in Facebook Messenger. - **WhatsApp** — conversations start in WhatsApp (requires WhatsApp Business linked to your account). - **Instagram** — conversations start in Instagram DMs 6. Set your **budget** and launch. Once live, people who click your ad will be taken directly into a Messenger or WhatsApp conversation with your business. Meta optimizes delivery to people most likely to start a conversation.   ### Messenger vs. WhatsApp — which to choose? **Messenger** works best if your audience is on Facebook or Instagram and you already manage customer conversations through your Facebook Page. Response times and inbox management happen through your Page's inbox or a connected CRM. **WhatsApp** tends to have higher open and response rates, especially in markets where WhatsApp is the dominant messaging app (Latin America, Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East). If your audience is in one of these regions, WhatsApp is usually the better choice. **Tip:** Set up an automated greeting message in your Facebook Page inbox settings or WhatsApp Business profile so prospects get an instant response even when you're not online. This keeps conversations moving and improves conversion from click to qualified lead. ### Common issues #### WhatsApp doesn't appear as a destination option WhatsApp must be connected to your Facebook page before it will appear. In facebook.com, switch to your Page profile and go to **settings → linked accounts** and link your WhatsApp Business number. Once connected, return to the campaign and the option should appear. #### The ad is running but I'm not getting conversations This can happen with very restrictive audience targeting. Broaden your audience or increase your budget to give Meta's delivery system more room to find people likely to message. Also review your creative — a direct, conversational CTA drives significantly more message clicks than a generic one.   ### Related articles - Run Facebook & Instagram ads - Connect Meta (Facebook & Instagram) - Set up lead forms - Choose the right campaign goal   - [Start Here](https://help.plai.io/start-here?hsLang=en) - [Connect Your Accounts](https://help.plai.io/connect-your-accounts?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Platform connections](https://help.plai.io/connect-your-accounts?hsLang=en#platform-connections) - [Troubleshoot Connections](https://help.plai.io/connect-your-accounts?hsLang=en#troubleshoot-connections) - [Pixels & tracking](https://help.plai.io/connect-your-accounts?hsLang=en#pixels-tracking) - [Account Management](https://help.plai.io/connect-your-accounts?hsLang=en#account-management) - [Launch Campaigns](https://help.plai.io/launch-campaigns?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Campaign Management](https://help.plai.io/launch-campaigns?hsLang=en#campaign-management) - [Campaign features](https://help.plai.io/launch-campaigns?hsLang=en#campaign-features) - [Platform guides](https://help.plai.io/launch-campaigns?hsLang=en#platform-guides) - [Targeting & audiences](https://help.plai.io/launch-campaigns?hsLang=en#targeting-audiences) - [Blockers](https://help.plai.io/launch-campaigns?hsLang=en#blockers) - [Creative & AI Tools](https://help.plai.io/creative-ai-tools?hsLang=en) - [Optimize & Results](https://help.plai.io/optimize-results?hsLang=en#main-content) - [AI optimization](https://help.plai.io/optimize-results?hsLang=en#ai-optimization) - [Reading results](https://help.plai.io/optimize-results?hsLang=en#reading-results) - [Improve performance](https://help.plai.io/optimize-results?hsLang=en#improve-performance) - [Budget guidance](https://help.plai.io/optimize-results?hsLang=en#budget-guidance) - [Troubleshooting](https://help.plai.io/optimize-results?hsLang=en#troubleshooting) - [Agency Operations](https://help.plai.io/agency-operations?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Agency setup](https://help.plai.io/agency-operations?hsLang=en#agency-setup) - [Client Management](https://help.plai.io/agency-operations?hsLang=en#client-management) - [Billing & subscription](https://help.plai.io/agency-operations?hsLang=en#billing-subscription) - [Reference](https://help.plai.io/agency-operations?hsLang=en#reference) [mailto:getsupport@gmail.com](mailto:getsupport@gmail.com) Copyright © 2025, Plai #### Still need help? 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