# Interactive messages: lists, reply buttons, location requests

## What are interactive messages?

Interactive messages give your customers a simpler and more consistent way to find and select what they want from your business on WhatsApp.

Clickatell supports three types of interactive messages. 

* [**List Messages**](#when-to-use-interactive-messages)
* [**Reply Buttons**](#reply-buttons)
* [**Location Request Messages**](#how-to-set-up-interactive-messages-1)

{% hint style="info" %}

* These interactive messages cannot be used as notifications. Currently, it can only be sent within 24 hours of the last message received from the customer. If you try to send a message outside the 24-hour window, you will get an error message.
* Supported platforms: iOS, Android, and web
* For more information on interactive messages, you can also see [this page](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/guides/interactive-messages/) created by WhatsApp.
  {% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/H9mbp0ZlSZKdmkQMXA0U/blobs/4WMZOwOOjBNgkjeJBq4n/WA%20channel%205.webp" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## How to set up interactive messages <a href="#how-to-set-up-interactive-messages" id="how-to-set-up-interactive-messages"></a>

1. You can send interactive WhatsApp messages via our **One API**. This allows you to populate the lists/buttons dynamically in real-time and personalize them to the customer or situation. These messages also do not require [template](https://guides.clickatell.com/whatsapp-channel/channel-capabilities/whatsapp-message-templates) creation or pre-approvals.

{% hint style="info" %}
To send interactive WhatsApp messages via API, see our [One API Reference Documentation](https://docs.clickatell.com/channels/one-api/one-api-reference/).
{% endhint %}

2. If you are on the [Interact ](https://www.clickatell.com/products/interact/)or [Transact ](https://www.clickatell.com/transact/)package, you can set up interactive lists and buttons as part of your workflow in [**Chat Flow**](https://clickatell.gitbook.io/flow/). These are easy to set up and do not require any API integrations. Options/buttons are static and not dynamically populated.

{% hint style="info" %}
To set up interactive messages in Chat Flow, refer to the [Chat Flow user guide](https://clickatell.gitbook.io/flow/channel-capabilities/use-whatsapp-with-chat-flow/whatsapp-interactive-messages).
{% endhint %}

## Interactive Message Types <a href="#when-to-use-interactive-messages" id="when-to-use-interactive-messages"></a>

### List Messages <a href="#when-to-use-interactive-messages" id="when-to-use-interactive-messages"></a>

* Include a menu with **up to 10 options** for users to select.&#x20;
* Only one option can be selected by a customer per list message.
* Best for presenting longer lists of options, e.g.:
  * Customer care or FAQ menus
  * Take-out menus
  * Lists of nearby stores or locations
  * Available reservation times
  * Choosing a recent order to repeat

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/H9mbp0ZlSZKdmkQMXA0U/blobs/oopUATeckyHaTM1wmP0P/WA%20channel%206.webp" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p>Example: list message​</p></figcaption></figure>

### **Reply Buttons**

* Include **up to 3 buttons**, each presenting an option for the customer to select.&#x20;
  * Reply buttons have the same user experience as [interactive templates with buttons](https://guides.clickatell.com/whatsapp-channel/channel-capabilities/whatsapp-message-templates/use-interactive-buttons-in-message-templates).&#x20;
* Only one option can be selected by a customer per button message.
* Best for selecting quick responses from a limited set of options, e.g.:
  * Recharging airtime
  * Changing personal details
  * Reordering a previous order
  * Requesting a return
  * Adding optional extras to a food order
  * Choosing a payment method
* Reply buttons are particularly valuable for "personalized" use cases where a generic response is not adequate.

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/H9mbp0ZlSZKdmkQMXA0U/blobs/Omvmwpv9Youe5b8Zuqk2/WA%20channel%207.webp" alt="" width="314"><figcaption><p>​Example: reply buttons​</p></figcaption></figure>

### Location Request Messages <a href="#how-to-set-up-interactive-messages" id="how-to-set-up-interactive-messages"></a>

These messages request your customer's location. They contain body text and a *Send location* button that customers can tap. Tapping the button displays a location-sharing screen that the user can then use to share their location.

{% hint style="info" %}
Sharing of a live location is **not** supported.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/H9mbp0ZlSZKdmkQMXA0U/blobs/Wd1l7YPMsYKf2Yq8Yyef/image.png" alt=""><figcaption><p>Example: location request message</p></figcaption></figure>