Content Types Overview



Content template support on API vs. Console

content-template-support-on-api-vs-console page anchor

All content template types will appear on the content templates. Content template types that are supported on API only will display the following pop-up when opened in the console.

Content template types supported on API.
Content typeConsoleAPI
twilio/textYesYes
twilio/mediaYesYes
twilio/locationNoYes
twilio/list-pickerYesYes
twilio/call-to-actionYesYes
twilio/quick-replyYesYes
twilio/cardYesYes
twilio/carouselYesYes
twilio/catalogYesYes
twilio/payNoYes
twilio/flowsNoYes
whatsapp/authenticationYesYes
whatsapp/cardYesYes

Channel support and priority order

channel-support-and-priority-order page anchor

Twilio supports the content types provided in the following table. This table lists the content types in order of content complexity. This ranges from the least complex content (twilio/text) to the most content (whatsapp/authentication). When message handles multiple content types, Twilio sends the most complex translation that the chosen channel supports.

Content TypeSMSMMSRCSWhatsApp(link takes you to an external page)Messenger(link takes you to an external page)
twilio/textYesYesYesYes
twilio/mediaYesYesYesYes
twilio/locationYes
twilio/quick-repliesYesYes
twilio/call-to-actionYesYes
twilio/list-pickerYes
twilio/cardYesYesYes
twilio/carouselYesYesNo
twilio/catalogYesNo
twilio/payYes
twilio/flowsYes
whatsapp/cardYes
whatsapp/authenticationYes

Channel media type support

channel-media-type-support page anchor

Twilio supports the following media types(link takes you to an external page).

Content TypeSMSMMSRCSWhatsApp(link takes you to an external page)Messenger(link takes you to an external page)
ImagesYesYesYesYes
VideoYesYesYesYes
DocumentYesYesYesYes
AudioYesYesIn session onlyYes

WhatsApp approval requirements

whatsapp-approval-requirements page anchor

To send messages to WhatApp users, WhatsApp must approve your content template. Another API request handles this approval. WhatsApp allows replies to inbound messages without a content template for some content types.

Twilio content typeUser initiated: 24 hour session (initiated by inbound message)Business initiated: out of session (initiated by a business - no inbound message)
twilio/text✅ Can reply to inbound messages⚠️ Content template approval required to send outbound messages
twilio/media✅ Can reply to inbound messages⚠️ Content template approval required to send outbound messages
twilio/location✅ Can reply to inbound messages❌ Not supported
twilio/call-to-action⚠️ Content template approval may be required to reply to inbound messages based on buttons types present⚠️ Content template approval required to send outbound messages
twilio/quick-reply✅ Can reply to inbound messages⚠️ Content template approval required to send outbound messages
twilio/list-picker✅ Can reply to inbound messages❌ Not supported
twilio/card⚠️ Content template approval may be required to reply to inbound messages based on buttons types present⚠️ Content template approval required to send outbound messages
twilio/carousel⚠️ Content template approval required to reply to inbound messages⚠️ Content template approval Required to send outbound messages
twilio/catalog✅ Can reply to inbound messages⚠️ Content template approval Required to send outbound messages
twilio/pay✅ Can reply to inbound messages❌ Not supported
twilio/flows⚠️ Content template approval required to reply to inbound messages⚠️ Content template approval Required to send outbound messages
whatsapp/card⚠️ Content template approval may be required to reply to inbound messages based on buttons types present⚠️ Content template approval required to send outbound messages
whatsapp/authentication⚠️ Content template approval required to reply to inbound messages⚠️ Content template approval required to send outbound messages

WhatsApp approval statuses

whatsapp-approval-statuses page anchor

Whatsapp content templates can have the following statuses:

StatusDescription
UnsubmittedThe content template hasn't been submitted to Twilio or WhatsApp for any sort of approval. These content templates might still be used in session for some channels and in some WhatsApp sessions subject to the WhatsApp approval requirements listed above.
ReceivedThe content template approval request has been received by Twilio. it's not yet in review by WhatsApp.
PendingThe content template is under review by WhatsApp. Review can take up to 24 hours.
ApprovedThe content template has been approved by WhatsApp and can be used to notify customers.
RejectedThe content template has been rejected by WhatsApp during the review process.
PausedThe content template has been paused by WhatsApp due to recurring negative feedback from end users, typically resulting from "block" and "report spam" actions associated with The content template. Message templates with this status can't be sent to end users.
DisabledThe content template has been disabled by WhatsApp due to recurring negative feedback from end users or for violating one or more of WhatsApp's policies. Message templates with this status can't be sent to end users.

The following parameters are used as an array in the actions parameter of twilio/quick-reply, twilio/call-to-action, and twilio/card content types:

ParameterTypeRequiredVariable supportDescription
typestring (enum)YesNoThe type of action:
  • Call to Action Values: URL, PHONE_NUMBER
  • Quick Reply Value: QUICK_REPLY
  • Card Values: URL, PHONE_NUMBER, QUICK_REPLY
  • whatsapp/authentication: COPY_CODE
titlestringYes, except for whatsapp/authenticationYes, except for QUICK_REPLY buttons on content templates for WhatsApp business initiated messages.Display value for the action. For type QUICK_REPLY, this is the message that will be sent back when the user taps on the button.
  • Maximum length for WhatsApp: 25 characters
  • Maximum length for Facebook: 20 characters
urlstringNo, except for URLYesURL to direct to when the recipient taps the button.
phonestring (enum)No, except for PHONE_NUMBERNoE.164 formatted phone number to call when the recipient taps the button.
idstring (enum)NoYesPostback payload. This field isn't visible to the end user.
  • Maximum length for WhatsApp: 128 characters
  • Maximum length for unapproved WhatsApp templates in session: 256 characters
copy_code_textstringNo, except for whatsapp/authenticationNoDisplay value for the Copy Code button.