When people search for a business on Google, most of them want to ask something quick – the price, whether you're open today, whether an item is in stock. In India, the easiest way for them to ask is WhatsApp. Google Business Profile now lets you add a WhatsApp chat option, so customers who find you on Google Search or Google Maps can message you in one tap.
Open your Business Profile → Edit profile → Contact → Chat → choose WhatsApp → paste your link, e.g. https://wa.me/919876543210 → Save.
You don't need a WhatsApp username for this. Google only needs a normal click-to-chat link made from your number. WhatsApp usernames are still on hold in India anyway (more on that below).
What customers will see on Google
Once it's set up, your profile on Google Search and Maps gets a chat option next to buttons like Call, Directions and Website. Tapping it opens WhatsApp with a new chat to your business number – the customer doesn't need to save your number first.
This matters because a chat is easier than a call for many customers – they can ask at 11 pm, share a photo of what they need, and you can reply when you're free. You also keep the conversation, the customer's number and a way to follow up.
Before you start: checklist
- A claimed and verified Business Profile. Google only shows chat options on verified profiles.
- A WhatsApp number you actually check. Ideally the WhatsApp Business app or the WhatsApp Business API, so you get a business profile, greeting message and quick replies.
- Your click-to-chat link in the format
https://wa.me/+ country code + number (details below). - Availability: Google says chat options are available in select regions, so the option may not appear on every profile yet.
Step-by-step: add WhatsApp chat to Google Business Profile
- Open your profile. Sign in with the Google account that manages your Business Profile, then search your business name on Google or open it in the Google Maps app.
- Go to Contact. Select Edit profile, then Contact.
- Edit Chat. Find the Chat section and select Edit.
- Choose WhatsApp. Open the Chat dropdown and choose WhatsApp (the other option is Text message).
- Paste your link. Enter your WhatsApp click-to-chat link, for example
https://wa.me/919876543210. - Save. Select Save. Edits can take some time to show on Search and Maps.
Get the WhatsApp link right (most mistakes happen here)
Google asks for a WhatsApp click-to-chat URL, not just a number. The format is:
https://wa.me/<country code><number> → for an Indian mobile: https://wa.me/919876543210
| Link | Works? | Why |
|---|---|---|
https://wa.me/919876543210 | ✓ Yes | Country code + number, nothing else |
https://wa.me/+91 98765-43210 | ✗ No | No +, spaces or dashes allowed |
https://wa.me/09876543210 | ✗ No | Leading 0 instead of the 91 country code |
https://wa.me/9876543210 | ✗ No | Missing country code |
9876543210 | ✗ No | A number alone is not a link |
Don't want to type it by hand? Use our free WhatsApp Link Generator – enter your number and it gives you the correct wa.me link (and a QR code for your shop counter).
Optional tip: some businesses add a pre-filled message, like https://wa.me/919876543210?text=Hi%2C%20I%20found%20you%20on%20Google, so they can tell which chats came from Google. If Google doesn't accept the link with a message, use the plain version.
Don't add SMS and WhatsApp together. Google's help page says that if you add both, only the text message option is shown to customers. If WhatsApp is where you want the chats, add only WhatsApp.
Can I add WhatsApp as a "social profile" instead?
No. Several blogs suggest this, but Google's own help page lists only seven supported social profiles: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, X and YouTube. WhatsApp isn't one of them – the Chat option is the right place for it.
What about WhatsApp usernames?
You may have heard that WhatsApp now has usernames – handles like @yourbrand that let people message you without seeing your phone number. Here's where things stand:
- Global launch: WhatsApp started rolling out usernames on 29 June 2026, and businesses in supported countries can claim one.
- Username rules: 3–35 characters, using lowercase letters, numbers, full stops and underscores. It must contain at least one letter, can't start with "www" and can't end with a domain like ".com". Meta also reserves names that match a business's verified display name, Facebook Page or Instagram handle.
- India is on hold: soon after the launch, India's IT ministry (MeitY) raised concerns that usernames could make fraud and impersonation easier. WhatsApp said it won't launch the feature in India until those discussions are complete, and as of September 2026 usernames are still not available in India.
What this means for your Google listing: nothing changes today. Google's Chat option works with your normal phone-number link, which will keep working. When usernames do reach India, it's worth claiming your brand name early so nobody else takes something similar – but keep your wa.me number link on Google.
Chat option not showing? Try this
- Check verification. The profile must be verified and not suspended.
- Try another device. Open your profile in the Google Maps app on your phone – some options appear there first.
- It may not have reached you yet. Google is rolling chat out region by region; check again in a few weeks.
- Link rejected? Remove +, spaces, dashes and leading zeros, and make sure the number is active on WhatsApp.
- Button not updating? Allow time for Google to process edits, and make sure someone else with access hasn't changed it.
Make every Google chat count
Adding the button is step one. The businesses that win customers from it do three things:
- Reply fast. Someone chatting from Google is usually comparing you with 2–3 other businesses. Set a greeting message and an away message in WhatsApp Business so nobody waits in silence.
- Keep answers ready. Save quick replies for prices, timings, location and payment options.
- Follow up. Chats that ended with "I'll think about it" are your warmest leads. Send an offer, reminder or catalogue a few days later.
When chats grow beyond what one phone can handle, the WhatsApp Business API lets several team members reply from one number, add chatbots and send approved broadcast campaigns – this is what our WhatsApp marketing service sets up for you. Want to see how your campaign message would look? Try our WhatsApp message preview tool.
Want more leads from Google and WhatsApp?
RR Media sets up WhatsApp Business API, chat automation and broadcast campaigns for 100+ businesses across India. See our WhatsApp marketing services.
Talk to us on WhatsApp →Frequently asked questions
Do I need a WhatsApp username to add WhatsApp to Google?
No. Google Business Profile asks for a WhatsApp click-to-chat link such as https://wa.me/919876543210, which uses your phone number. Usernames aren't needed – and as of September 2026 they're on hold in India.
Why can't I see the Chat option in my Business Profile?
Google says chat options are available in select regions, and your profile must be claimed and verified. Check your verification, try the Google Maps app on your phone, and check again later if it hasn't reached your profile yet.
Can I add both WhatsApp and SMS chat?
You can, but Google shows only the text message option if both are added. If you want WhatsApp chats, add only WhatsApp.
Can I add WhatsApp as a social media link on Google Business Profile?
No. Google's supported social profiles are Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, X and YouTube. Use the Chat option for WhatsApp.
Should I use the WhatsApp Business app or the API for Google chats?
Both work with the Google Chat option because both use a click-to-chat link. The Business app suits small teams; the WhatsApp Business API suits businesses that need several agents, automation or a CRM.