WhatsApp Webhook
A WhatsApp webhook is an HTTP endpoint that receives real-time notifications from the WhatsApp Business API about incoming messages, message status updates, and other events.
In Depth
Webhooks are the technical foundation that enables real-time WhatsApp AI support. When a customer sends a message on WhatsApp, the Cloud API sends a webhook notification to the configured endpoint with the message content, sender information, and metadata. The AI agent processes this payload, generates a response, and sends it back through the API.
Webhook events include incoming messages (text, images, documents, location), message status updates (sent, delivered, read), account alerts, and error notifications. Reliable webhook implementation requires HTTPS endpoints, signature verification (validating that notifications actually come from Meta), retry handling (processing redelivered events correctly), and fast response times (acknowledging webhooks within 20 seconds). For AI agents, the webhook architecture enables event-driven processing — the AI activates only when a customer message arrives, rather than continuously polling for new messages.
Related Terms
Webhook
A webhook is an automated HTTP callback that sends real-time data from one application to another when a specific event occurs, enabling event-driven integrations.
WhatsApp Cloud API
WhatsApp Cloud API is Meta's hosted solution that allows businesses to integrate WhatsApp messaging into their customer support workflows without managing their own infrastructure.
WhatsApp Business API
The WhatsApp Business API is a programmatic interface that enables medium and large businesses to send and receive messages on WhatsApp at scale, with automation, chatbot integration, and CRM connectivity.
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