Before you can send campaigns, you need contacts who have consented to receiving WhatsApp messages. This article shows you how to collect opt-ins, which methods Superchat offers, and how to get as many sign-ups as possible.

Why opt-in?

As a reminder: Without opt-in, you risk your WhatsApp number being permanently blocked. Learn more in the article Get Started: Campaigns.

Double opt-in: The contact signs up AND confirms the registration by sending a keyword. This ensures that:

The number really exists
The person is really the owner
The consent is documented (GDPR)

How does the registration work technically?

For customers to sign up for your newsletter, you need a way to get them to your WhatsApp. For this, you use a WhatsApp link or QR code.

What is a WhatsApp link?

A special link that opens WhatsApp when clicked - with a pre-filled message (the keyword). The customer only needs to tap "Send".

Example: https://wa.me/4915735990091?text=NEWSLETTER

When someone clicks this link:

WhatsApp opens
The message "NEWSLETTER" is already typed
Customer taps send
Your opt-in flow starts automatically

What is a QR code?

Ein QR-Code ist einfach der WhatsApp-Link in scanbarer Form. Technisch passiert

A QR code is simply the WhatsApp link in scannable form. Technically, exactly the same thing happens - except the customer scans the code instead of clicking a link.

Where do you get the link and QR code?

When you create an opt-in method in Superchat or set up an automation with the trigger "Contact scans QR code / opens link", the link and QR code are automatically generated for you. You can then copy them and use them anywhere.

Strategy: How to get opt-ins

Nobody signs up for a newsletter "just because". You need an incentive.

Example e-commerce: Sign up for our WhatsApp newsletter and receive:

10% discount on your next order
Early access to new products
Exclusive behind-the-scenes insights

The flow from the customer's perspective:

Customer sees incentive (e.g., "10% discount when you sign up")
Customer scans QR code or clicks WhatsApp link
WhatsApp opens with pre-filled keyword
Customer taps send
Opt-in flow starts automatically
Customer receives confirmation (and possibly discount code)
Customer is in your newsletter list

Where do you place QR code and link?

QR code for physical touchpoints:

Package inserts: "Thanks for your order! Scan the QR code for 10% off your next order"
Flyers, posters, storefronts
Checkout, tables, displays in the store
Business cards, packaging

WhatsApp link for digital touchpoints:

Website: Pop-up after 30 seconds or exit intent
Email signature
Social media bio (Instagram, Facebook, etc.)
Online advertising

Set up opt-in in Superchat

Superchat offers two methods. Our recommendation: Start with the quick start method. Switch to the flexible method when you need more customization options.

	Quick Start	Flexible
Setup Time	5 min	20 min
Customizability	Limited	Full flexibility
Additional Questions	No	Yes
Ideal for	Quick start	Individual flows

Quick start: Opt-in Methods

The simplest option for a quick start. Ideal when you want to get started quickly without building complex flows.

How to set it up

Go to Campaigns in the navigation
Click on Opt-in Methods
Click on New Method

Step 1: Create opt-in method

Name: Internal name (e.g., "Summer Offer", "Package Insert 2024")
Opt-in keyword: The word customers send to sign up (e.g., "Subscribe", "NEWSLETTER", "START")
Language: German, English, etc.
Subscription confirmation: The message customers receive after signing up (e.g., "Welcome to our WhatsApp newsletter! Thanks for signing up. Here's your 10% discount code: WELCOME10")

Step 2: Customize unsubscribe confirmation

Opt-out keyword: Default "Unsubscribe"
Unsubscribe confirmation: The message customers receive after unsubscribing

Step 3: Copy link and QR code

After creating, you'll find the generated WhatsApp link and QR code in the opt-in method. Copy them and use them on your touchpoints.

What happens for the customer

Customer scans QR code or clicks link
WhatsApp opens with keyword (e.g., "Subscribe")
Customer taps send
Customer receives subscription confirmation
Customer is automatically saved as subscriber

Analytics

Under Campaigns → Analytics you see:

Total subscribers: Current number
New subscribers: Sign-ups in the period
Unsubscribes: Unsubscribes in the period

Under Campaigns → Subscribers you see a list of all subscribers.

Select recipients for campaigns

When you create a campaign, you can filter by:

Opt-in method: All subscribers from "Package Insert 2024"
Opt-in number: Which WhatsApp number the registration came through
Subscribed Yes/No: Across all opt-in methods

Flexible: Automation + Contact Lists

How it works

Instead of the predefined opt-in method, you build your own flow with Superchat Automations.

Option 1: Use automation template (Recommended)

Go to Automations
Click Create automation
Select the template "WhatsApp Newsletter Opt-in Management"

The template already contains a complete flow:

Trigger: Opt-in

Select communication channel (your WhatsApp number)
Define sign-up word (e.g., "Subscribe")
Define unsubscribe word (e.g., "Unsubscribe") Path "Contact signs up":

Path "Contact signs up":

Send opt-in confirmation
Add to contact list

Path "Contact unsubscribes":

Send opt-out confirmation
Remove from contact list

Option 2: Create your own automation

If you don't want to use the template:

Go to Automations
Click Create automation → Create your own
Select the trigger "Contact scans QR code / opens link"
Configure the trigger:
- Communication channel: Select your WhatsApp number
- Subscribe word: The pre-filled word when someone scans the QR code (e.g., "Summer Sale")
- Unsubscribe word (optional): Activate toggle to also enable unsubscribes via this trigger
- QR code appearance (optional): Customize the design of your QR code
Build your flow with the two paths (subscription / unsubscription)

At the bottom you see the preview: QR code & chat link - as soon as you fill in the required fields, QR code and link are automatically generated.

Analytics

Under Analytics → Contact Lists you see:

Filter by your newsletter contact list
Added: New sign-ups in the period (green)
Removed: Unsubscribes in the period (red)
Contacts in list: Current number over time

Select recipients for campaigns

When creating campaigns, select your contact list as recipients. Additionally filter by contact attributes if you set these in the flow (e.g., "Newsletter Frequency = 1x per week").