Yes, I once got my WhatsApp number banned. Right here in Zimbabwe!
When watching Fear Factor, 1000 ways to die or some other dare-devil movie, usually they state clearly: “don’t try this at home”. Somehow I didn’t take that to heed and went for a whole 6 months without being able to communicate with the world. The case of when I got banned from Facebook is for another article.
In February 2013, I entered into an agreement with the local Facebook page, Dembare DotComs, where I would sponsor some airtime in exchange for some branded posts. One of the posts included my WhatsApp number, that encouraged people to inbox me a certain keyword then I would share with them “the top 20 secrets that the networks DON’T WANT YOU TO KNOW“!!!
The post was a hit, well beyond my expectations. I had over 1400 (one thousand four hundred responses) in the space of four hours! This was every marketers dream, a hungry following. People all wanted (and I guess still do) to know how they could save on their airtime.
Responding In my folly I tried to respond to each and every message. I had overlooked the fact that WhatsApp HATES adverts, and don’t want their platform to be used for such. That’s the simple reason why they’re charging $1 per year for their app. Though Facebook may make its money from advertising to people, WhatsApp founder Jan Koum keeps a note on his desk from co-founder Brian Acton that simply reads, “No Ads! No Games!”
I turned off my internet connection, to stop the influx of messages, and started to respond to people. It was a matter of copy and paste. Not too difficult I thought. Then this came up:
A notification from WhatsApp that I am no longer allowed to use their service. I didn’t see this one coming. Tried what I may, it never worked. Turns out WhatsApp have a strict NO ADS policy. If you send 1000 contacts (or is it 500? I got conflicting numbers online) a message in a 24 hour period, YOU WILL GET BANNED!
That’s not to say those of you love birds that send back and forth messages will get banned, contrary. That’s sending to one contact. But if you try and send a message to 1000 of your customers (as a business) advising them of a sale that’s going on at your shop in uptown Harare, you will face the wrath of the instant messaging platform. They have it in their FAQ’s and in no way are they apologetic about it.
So for those of you that intend to use the service for business, be warned. I did manage to get back online, but this was only after 6 months or so, when WhatsApp upgraded and prompted everyone to download their new version. Not worth the risk I would advise. Use other platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube to market to your customers. Have a blog too.
But for now, stay away from bulk messaging WhatsApp contacts or even trying to use services such as WhatsAPI that claim to integrate with WhatsApp. You will get your number banned!
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133 comments
i wonder if u had tried to update or unistal whatsapp if u would still have been blocked. hilarious story. and the moral of the story is …… . . . . . . . .dont use your personal number for marketing on whatsapp get one of those pre-registered ones lol
I did try to delete it and reinstall, same thing!!!
Yes, lesson learnt, don’t use your personal number for business!!!
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Evn im banned pls help me out
Loda pakada mera v banned Ho gya he
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And my number +918858883995
Dear Users:
Forward as received to your all friends If you can face any kind of problems regarding WhatsApp, Facebook, Twittter, Skype, Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, Messanger, Imo, VChat, Google Account, So Please Do Call Or WhatsApp Me Any Time I Can Give You A Solution For All Of This Problems Ok 🙂
Thanks And Regards:
Support Team
Adeel Inayat Ali
+923222078854
My number is no longer allowed to use whatsapp n this happened when I switched my data off the hole day and tried to login .please help ASAP!!!been trying to download it I figured its just a waste!!
My whatsaaps number 84-986-725-562 banned. I send a lots of email to whatsapp support but no feedback. hope you help me in this case. Tks guys!
Ur whatsapp ready now…
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pls my bro my number 2348161811130 has been banned on whatsapp for days now,pls help me resolve it or give me clue to go by it. hakmos4real@gmail.com that is my e-mail
My number now band. .so how can i open it. .Plz help me
I have been banned from using whatsapp . Please reactivate my account please
Lol William! But we still need ur app number! What do we do lol?
I’m back on it now. Send me a smoke signal and we’ll take it from there.
😉
How about writing those 20 secrets here on Techzim for some of us to read?
Some of the items are no longer relevant, but will look into it.
why i m seen this message your phone number is not allowed to use our service ….How to solve this problem
my whatsapp no longer allowed sarvice my numbar 9685727372
Dear Users:
Forward as received to your all friends If you can face any kind of problems regarding WhatsApp, Facebook, Twittter, Skype, Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, Messanger, Imo, VChat, Google Account, So Please Do Call Or WhatsApp Me Any Time I Can Give You A Solution For All Of This Problems Ok 🙂
Thanks And Regards:
Support Team
Adeel Inayat Ali
+923222078854
i called u on your number u dont answer me
my whtsapp number is banned +923036071702 please help me
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I have been banned man i need your advice.Please email me at calvinclark688@gmail.com
Fuck
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Recently certified as the ONLY Online Marketing Certified Professional (OMCP) in Content Marketing in Zimbabwe – Can you prove this
There you go ‘Anonymous’: http://omcp.org/members/william-chui/
If you know of any other, please share
Recently certified as the ONLY Online Marketing Certified Professional (OMCP) in Content Marketing in Zimbabwe – FOR REAL ?
Yes, for real. http://omcp.org/omcp-certified-marketers-directory/?query=zimbabwe&by=&p=&page_id=
I don’t know of any other at the moment, if you do please share so that I can update it to “the first OMCP certified Content Marketer” 🙂
When my whatsapp number +263 771 416 730 was de-activated, I wrote to Jan Koum and ask him to kindly activate it and I promise that time to abide with the Terms and conditions of
WhatsApp. Jan responded quickly and activate it.Try jan@whatsapp.com if you think I’m telling a fib.
Thanks Khal,
I hope never find myself in such a position again, but appreciate the tip.
Khal Drogo, I emailed to jan@whatsapp.com but he don’t want to help and starting to ignore me. Can you please get him to help? Thank you.
Well I finally was able to transfer my phone number to whatsapp, I started sending a message to my family that I had a new number. I am on the 15 message and I got banned… I tried contacting support but never got an answer the worst part is. I use whatsapp to keep in touch with my family and specially my son since I moved abroad.
I am also in several groups, one with the school teachers, one with my son’s psychologist one with my family etcetera.
I emailed Jan but never got a response 🙁
nice
Yu yu mie yag
Sorry things did not work out for you William. You were really getting some good traction with all those conversations on WhatsApp. Have you considered using another platform like Viber? Thanks again for sharing your experiences. We learn from one another. I would encourage to try and connect with your contacts on another platform like Linkedln, maybe build a group there with the same interest and continue the conversation.
Hi there Bruce,
Thanks for the heads up. Unfortunately, the usage of LinkedIn is just not that appealing here. WhatsApp and Facebook are undoubtedly the most used services here in Zimbabwe (quite evident by the WhatsApp and Facebook bundles that the networks have launched). It has gotten to the extent (I think internationally as well) that when users are seeking a new device they enquire whether it is “WhatsApp compatible”. No one locally loses sleep about LinkedIn, whether their device can access it or if the service ever goes done.
WeChat is no where close either.
Dghh
Thank u bro William.i hev bn greatly helped
Thank you Comfort for reading and sharing.
Another marketer
http://omcp.org/members/t-moyo/
Well done Tanaka. Glad to know that you’ve taken this step.
As it stands I am still the FIRST OMCP qualified CONTENT MARKETER as I notice that you’re certified in Web Analytics and Conversion.
Hi
Regarding the Banned number , How can I Activated Back ,
I lost it in less thank 24hrs, by sending too many messages !
Your reply is Higly Appreciated
Thanks
Faisal
Hi Faisal,
Sorry to read of your troubles. For me I had to wait a long period from the platform and I think maybe when there is an update of the app will you be allowed back on. There were no clear steps that I took to get back on, but I just left it to time….
Unfortunately, I can not give you any tips or tricks on how to get your number reactivated on WhatsApp (at the moment)
Hii..pls help me
My whtsapp banned …
What do next..
Pls help me
I had my number blocked late night, for sending multiple messages.
How do I get it activated? or I just have to wait until there is an upgrade available?
Didn’t see this one coming!!
Does one get banned by whatsapp for sending multiple messages in a group or broadcast? Is any form of advertising forbidden by whatsapp or it should be done moderately? If its illegal then im guilty ^^
Hi Dee,
It would seem that this is targeted at direct messages to other contacts and not group messages. Remember a group is currently limited to 50 contacts. WhatsApp has changed the way ‘Broadcast’ works, where you can not broadcast messages to people who have not saved your number in their contacts list! So this kinda makes it hard.
Hi sir
Pls send ur number…
thanx so much William, your article on banned numbers has shed some light.im puzzled still by the fact that i didnt send multiple ads yet i got banned on my old number.what is even more puzzling is i bought a line and it was blocked within hours of using it so if they dont allow multiple texting hw does that apply in the case of a new sim card. however did not need to wait for an upgrade version of whatsapp i changed networks from econet to telecel and succesfully back on whatsapp.hope my victory lasts lol.
I am interested in this airtime saving scheme hw do i benefit and keep in touch with you for details.
Thanx.your page is awesome.mukuziva boss
steven
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