> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.chatsyncs.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Template Approval & Rejections

> What Meta checks when reviewing a template submission and the most common reasons templates get rejected — wrong category, non-sequential variable numbers, policy violations (spam, misleading claims, adult content, impersonation), or broken button URLs. Use when a customer asks why their template was rejected, how to get a template approved, what Meta looks for during review, or how to avoid rejection.

When you submit a template to Meta, it goes through a review process before it can be used.
Meta checks several criteria. If any check fails, the template is rejected and you must fix and
resubmit it.

## What Meta checks

| Check                  | What it means                                                                                                                                                     |
| ---------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Category match**     | The template content must match the declared category. Promotional content submitted as Utility will be rejected.                                                 |
| **Policy compliance**  | No spam, misleading claims, adult/sexual content, threatening language, gambling, alcohol, drugs, or impersonation (e.g., pretending to be a bank or government). |
| **Variable numbering** | Variables must be sequential starting at `{{1}}`. Skipping (`{{1}}` then `{{3}}`) is not allowed.                                                                 |
| **Valid button URLs**  | Any URL in a button must be reachable and not suspicious. Broken or malware URLs are rejected.                                                                    |

## Common rejection reasons in detail

**Wrong category**
If your template says "Get 50% OFF this weekend! Use code SAVE50" but you submitted it as
Utility, Meta will reject it. Any discount, offer, promotion, or upsell must be submitted as
Marketing.

**Variable numbering errors**
Variables must go `{{1}}`, `{{2}}`, `{{3}}` — no gaps, no duplicates. Starting with `{{2}}` or
jumping from `{{1}}` to `{{3}}` causes rejection.

**Content policy violation**
Prohibited content includes: threatening or aggressive language; adult or sexual content;
misleading product claims; impersonating a bank, government body, or other organization;
content involving gambling, alcohol, or controlled substances.

**Broken button URLs**
All URLs in CTA URL buttons must be valid and accessible at the time of review.

## Frequently asked

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Why was my template rejected?">
    The most common causes are: wrong category (e.g., promotional content filed as Utility),
    non-sequential variable numbers (`{{1}}` then `{{3}}`), a policy violation (spam, misleading,
    adult, impersonation), or an invalid button URL. Fix the specific issue and resubmit.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I submitted a discount offer as a Utility template and it was rejected. Why?">
    Discount offers, promotions, and upsells are Marketing, not Utility. Resubmit the template
    with the Marketing category.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My variables are {{1}} and {{3}} — is that okay?">
    No. Variables must be sequential starting from `{{1}}`. Use `{{1}}`, `{{2}}`, `{{3}}` with no
    gaps. Rename `{{3}}` to `{{2}}`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What content is not allowed in a template?">
    Spam, misleading or false claims, adult/sexual content, threatening language, impersonation
    (banks, government), and content promoting gambling, alcohol, or drugs.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Gotchas & common mistakes

<Warning>
  * **Marketing content in Utility** — this is the #1 rejection cause. When in doubt about
    category, choose Marketing. See [Template categories](/meta-api/templates/template-categories).
  * **Resubmitting without fixing the issue** — Meta will reject again. Read the rejection reason
    carefully before resubmitting.
  * **Variables don't have to be in the body only** — headers can also use variables (`{{1}}` in
    text headers). The same sequential-numbering rule applies there too.
</Warning>