Business search & discovery

Updated June 2026 4 min read

How do customers actually find you on WhatsApp? Here's what business discovery means today, and the practical things that help people find — and trust — your number.

All guides
On this page

Quick facts

Business search
Rolling out by region
Main driver
You sharing your number
Helps
A verified, complete profile
Tools
QR codes, chat links

WhatsApp is rolling out business search in some regions, letting users find verified businesses by name or category. Discovery is still mostly driven by you — sharing your number, QR codes and chat links, linking your Facebook Page, and running Click-to-WhatsApp ads. A complete, verified profile makes you easier to find and trust.

In simple language: Discovery is simply all the ways a customer ends up with your WhatsApp number — from search, a QR code, an ad, or your website.

Who should read this?

  • Owners wondering how customers find them on WhatsApp
  • Businesses wanting more inbound chats
  • Anyone setting up for discoverability

For A local café

  • QR code on tables and the door to start a chat
  • Verified profile so the café looks legit

For An online seller

  • Chat link in every Instagram bio and post
  • WhatsApp button on the website

“How will customers find me on WhatsApp?” is a fair question — and the honest answer is that, for now, you are the main way they find you. Here’s the full picture.

What WhatsApp business search is

WhatsApp is gradually rolling out business search in some regions, letting users look up verified businesses by name or category — a bit like a directory inside the app. It’s promising, but it isn’t everywhere yet, and it favours complete, verified profiles.

How people actually find you today

Until search is universal, discovery is driven by the touchpoints you control:

ChannelHow they get your number
Chat link / QR codeYou share it; they tap or scan
Facebook Page”Message us” button
Click-to-WhatsApp adsTap an ad → chat opens
WebsiteA WhatsApp button
OfflineQR on receipts, packaging, the shop door

Example: a café puts a QR code on every table and its door. Customers scan to chat — no searching needed.

Making yourself easy to find

Be everywhere your customer already is → remove friction → they chat
  • Put your chat link and QR code everywhere — bio, website, receipts, packaging.
  • Complete and verify your profile so you look trustworthy.
  • Link your Facebook Page and run ads if you advertise.

For the hands-on detail on each method, see driving users to WhatsApp.

Keep reading

Related questions people ask

Can customers search for my business on WhatsApp?

WhatsApp is rolling out business search in some regions, letting users find verified businesses by name or category. Where it isn't available yet, discovery depends on you sharing your number, links and QR codes.

How do people find my business on WhatsApp?

Mostly through you: chat links, QR codes, your Facebook Page, Click-to-WhatsApp ads, your website button, and word of mouth. A verified profile helps them trust you.

Does a verified profile help discovery?

Yes. A complete, verified business profile makes you look credible and, where business search exists, more likely to appear and be trusted.

Key takeaways

  • WhatsApp business search is rolling out by region.
  • Today, discovery is mostly driven by you sharing your number.
  • QR codes, chat links, your Page and ads bring people in.
  • A complete, verified profile makes you easy to trust.
Published: June 2026 Last reviewed: June 2026 Reviewed by: ChatMitra WhatsApp API Team

Sources: Meta WhatsApp business discovery, ChatMitra QR generator

Put WhatsApp to work for your business

Start free on the Starter plan — pay just ₹0.20 per conversation, no subscription. Upgrade to Pro (₹999/month) when you need automation, or Enterprise for zero platform fees at scale.