Quick Guide on CBP implementation at Gupshup Self Serve

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As most of you might be aware, starting February 1st, 2022, WhatsApp will switch from a notification-based pricing model to a conversation-based pricing (CBP) model. Instead of being charged for notifications sent, businesses will be charged per conversation, which includes all messages delivered within a 24-hour period.

Read this guide to know –

• How does CBP work?
• What changes can you expect in Gupshup self serve with CBP coming in?

Useful external links:

• Facebook Conversation Based Pricing
• Gupshup API documentation for CBP

How does CBP work?

Old way of charging WhatsApp fee – Message based pricing

In the Message based pricing model, WhatsApp fee is decided basis ACTIVE WINDOW

• Active window is a 24 hour window that starts from “last message” of user and is a moving window. Free text / session messages can be sent in this window WHATSAPP FEE : FREE
• Inactive window is when the business can only send pre-approved template messages to opted in users WHATSAPP FEE : Per template message fee basis recipient country

GUPSHUP FEE - is per message for session or template

figure 1: Message based pricing model – basis user’s activity

New way of charging WhatsApp fee – Conversation based pricing (CBP) (1/2)

In the conversation based pricing model, WhatsApp fee is decided basis combination of - ACTIVE WINDOW + CONVERSATION WINDOW

Active window

Starts from user’s last reply, is a 24 hour moving window with which WhatsApp decides HOW MUCH TO CHARGE and WHAT MESSAGE CAN BIZ SEND (e.g. if user last replies at Day 1, 3pm, Active window ends at Day 2, 3pm, But if user again replies at Day 1, 4pm, Active window extends till Day 2, 4pm)

HOW MUCH TO CHARGE – FOR BIC (Business initiated conversation) OR UIC (user initiated conversation)?

• BIC and UIC are decided basis active window.
• User initiated DOES NOT mean conversation session starts by user’s message, It starts on reply by biz.
• WHATSAPP FEE : Different rates for BIC and UIC for different countries, Applicable in all countries.

GUPSHUP FEE still applies to every message in a conversation session – 0.001 USD pm whether template or session.

WHAT MESSAGE CAN BUSINESS SEND

• Same rules of opt-in and preapproved template apply for Biz initiated conversations.
• Same rules of active user apply for any message within BIC and UIC (biz can only send free text if user is active).

New way of charging WhatsApp fee – Conversation based pricing (CBP) (2/2)

Conversation window

Starts from biz’s first message, is a 24 hour static window with which WhatsApp decides WHEN DOES THE CHARGE START AND END (e.g. Day 1, 3pm to Day 2, 3pm fixed)

WHEN DOES THE CHARGE START AND END

• 24-hour conversation session starts from first reply by business
• First message is charged by WhatsApp, No further charge on messages in this 24 conversation window
• Session initiates on delivery of first message

figure 2: Conversation based pricing model – basis business’s first message

Examples of WhatsApp fee & Gupshup fee

USER INTIATIATED (UIC) When user is active in last 24 hrs.	BIZ INITIATED (BIC) When user is not active in last 24 hrs.

Other concepts of CBP

Free tier

• The first 1,000 conversations are free in every WABA within each calendar month
• Could be UIC or BIC
• Gupshup fee per message will still be charged in this case

Note: Effective March 01, 2022, the first 1000 conversations in your app will be considered as ‘Free Tier’ and the fee for it will not be deducted. Based on WhatsApp’s final reports received at the end of the month, the amount for these conversations will be adjusted (less or more) in your wallet. Note: Adjustment will be minimal but might be required mainly when one WABA has multiple phone numbers / Gupshup app linkages.

Free entry points (FEP)

• Gupshup fee per message will still be charged in this case Free entry points (FEP)
• Conversations that start from Ads that Click to WhatsApp or Facebook Page CTAs will be free (first UIC by user free)

What changes can you expect in Gupshup self serve with CBP coming in?

Changes in wallet statement

You will soon notice that the wallet statement usage section will be updated in the below format, to accommodate the CBP changes -

Payload changes

To know the payload changes please check - Gupshup API documentation for CBP

Tips:

• Make sure your Gupshup wallet is recharged enough, to avoid any stoppage due to low balance. (This is likely, since WhatsApp fee component will increase for users doing more of session messaging / UIC)

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