You can now find businesses and shop on WhatsApp

You can now search for businesses on WhatsApp and make secure payments with a credit or debit card right from the chat screen.

• What is happening? WhatsApp, owned by Meta, has rolled out the ability to find and send messages to businesses, as well as buy things directly from the app.
• Why care? You can browse small businesses by category or title, which was not possible before. You can also shop and pay securely via WhatsApp.
• What to do? Update WhatsApp to get this feature (in supported countries).

WhatsApp Business Search Launched in Select Countries

WhatsApp CEO Will Cathcart announced on Twitter that people in some countries can now search WhatsApp for small businesses, such as restaurants and shops, either by browsing a list of categories such as travel, cars, banking, or entertainment, or by typing in the name.

If you already have this feature, open your WhatsApp contact list where you should find a label that says Discover Businesses, Businesses or something like that.

You can only search and connect with companies that participate in the WhatsApp Business Platform. According to the WhatsApp FAQ, businesses can position themselves for these searches by submitting a request to join the WhatsApp business directory. Read: 5 Tips for Effective Search in macOS Notes

The meta says that requests are handled “in a way that cannot be linked to your account”without disclosing further information. WhatsApp Business Directory is available on the mobile app for iOS [ App Store link ] and Android, web and desktop.

Where is WhatsApp business search available?

Meta announced on the WhatsApp blog that it launched the new feature on November 18, 2022 in multiple countries: the UK, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, and Mexico. In Brazil, you can also search for small businesses near you.

When the WhatsApp business search will appear in other countries, it is not reported. At the time of this writing, this feature is not available in the US.

“We think search will make it easier for people and businesses to connect to WhatsApp, and we hope it gets better over time and becomes available in more countries,” Cathcart said.

Purchases from companies from WhatsApp

Once you find your favorite grocery store, hairdresser or other small business on WhatsApp, you can send them a message right in the app and even buy something. The buyer makes a secure payment with their credit or debit card directly from the chat. WhatsApp is working with several payment partners to support this feature.

“This convenient payment experience is a game changer for people and businesses who want to buy and sell on WhatsApp without having to go to a website, open another app, or pay in person,”the company said.