1. The Current Limitation Currently, ManyChat does not support syncing or sending WhatsApp Catalog Templates (templates with the mpm button sub_type for product lists). While we can send Interactive Product Messages natively, we are strictly limited to the 24-hour customer service window. We cannot send catalogs as business-initiated messages for re-marketing campaigns.
2. The Feature Request Please add native support in Flow Builder for WhatsApp Catalog Templates. Specifically, we need:
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The ability to sync templates from WhatsApp Manager that include a Catalog/Product button.
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A native block to map dynamic variables (Custom Fields or JSON arrays) directly into the
product_itemsarray of the template.
3. Business Use Case (Delta Mobiliario) In our e-commerce operations managing furniture retail, we run targeted remarketing campaigns for specific collections (e.g., Dining Rooms, Sofas). Right now, to send a dynamic catalog outside the 24h window, we are forced to create a high-friction funnel: send a standard text template -> wait for the user to click a quick reply -> then trigger the native product list. Being able to send the catalog directly within the initial template would drastically increase conversion rates for e-commerce users.
4. Why "External Request" is not a workaround Advanced users cannot bypass this by hitting Meta's Graph API directly. Since ManyChat acts as the BSP (Business Solution Provider) and holds the WABA number lock, attempting to send a template via API returns a #200 Permission Denied (OAuthException) error. We are entirely dependent on ManyChat implementing this natively.
Please upvote if you run e-commerce flows on WhatsApp!
