How to Send Interactive Media Carousel Messages Using the WhatsApp Official API

Bot Automation
Apr 9
4 min read

If you want to showcase multiple products, offers, videos, or services in a single WhatsApp message, Interactive Media Carousel Messages are one of the most powerful features available in the WhatsApp Official API.

Instead of sending multiple separate messages, businesses can create a horizontally scrollable carousel with rich media cards. Each card can include an image or video, short text, and a button that encourages the customer to take action.

With Hibot, you can use media carousel messages to create visually engaging campaigns that drive more clicks, replies, and conversions.

What Are WhatsApp Media Carousel Messages?

Media Carousel Messages display multiple cards in a scrollable horizontal format inside WhatsApp.

Each card can include:

An image or video header
Optional body text
A URL button or quick-reply buttons

Customers can swipe through the cards and interact with the option they prefer.

For example, an ecommerce brand can show three products in a single message, while a travel company can display multiple tour packages.

Why Businesses Use Carousel Messages

Carousel messages are more interactive and engaging than traditional text or image messages.

Benefits of using carousel messages with Hibot include:

Showcase multiple products or services in one message
Improve click-through rates
Increase customer engagement
Reduce the need for multiple separate messages
Create a more modern shopping or browsing experience

Because customers can explore different options inside one message, carousel campaigns often perform better than standard promotional messages.

Components of a Carousel Message

A WhatsApp media carousel message contains:

Main body text for the overall message
Between 2 and 10 cards
Image or video header on each card
Optional body text for each card
Buttons on every card

Important rules:

Every message must contain at least 2 cards and no more than 10 cards
All cards must use the same button structure
If one card uses a URL button, all cards must use URL buttons
If one card uses 2 quick-reply buttons, every card must also use exactly 2 quick-reply buttons
Main message headers and footers are not supported

Supported Card Media Types

Each card must include one of the following header types:

Header Type	Description
Image	Shows a product image, banner, or graphic
Video	Shows a video preview inside the card

Text headers and document headers are not supported in carousel cards.

How to Send a Carousel Message

To send an interactive media carousel message, use the following endpoint:

POST /<WHATSAPP_BUSINESS_PHONE_NUMBER_ID>/messages

Example basic structure:

curl 'https://graph.facebook.com/v25.0/<WHATSAPP_BUSINESS_PHONE_NUMBER_ID>/messages' \
-H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
-H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN' \
-d '
{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "recipient_type": "individual",
  "to": "<CUSTOMER_PHONE_NUMBER>",
  "type": "interactive",
  "interactive": {
    "type": "carousel",
    "body": {
      "text": "Explore our latest offers below"
    },
    "action": {
      "cards": []
    }
  }
}'

Example: Carousel with URL Buttons

This example sends three product cards, each with an image and a “Buy Now” button.

curl 'https://graph.facebook.com/v25.0/106540352242922/messages' \
-H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
-H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_ACCESS_TOKEN' \
-d '
{
  "messaging_product": "whatsapp",
  "recipient_type": "individual",
  "to": "16505551234",
  "type": "interactive",
  "interactive": {
    "type": "carousel",
    "body": {
      "text": "Check out our top 3 products this week!"
    },
    "action": {
      "cards": [
        {
          "card_index": 0,
          "type": "cta_url",
          "header": {
            "type": "image",
            "image": {
              "link": "https://yourwebsite.com/product1.jpg"
            }
          },
          "body": {
            "text": "*Product One*\n\nOur most popular item this month."
          },
          "action": {
            "name": "cta_url",
            "parameters": {
              "display_text": "Buy Now",
              "url": "https://yourwebsite.com/product1"
            }
          }
        },
        {
          "card_index": 1,
          "type": "cta_url",
          "header": {
            "type": "image",
            "image": {
              "link": "https://yourwebsite.com/product2.jpg"
            }
          },
          "body": {
            "text": "*Product Two*\n\nPerfect for new customers."
          },
          "action": {
            "name": "cta_url",
            "parameters": {
              "display_text": "Buy Now",
              "url": "https://yourwebsite.com/product2"
            }
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}'

Example: Carousel with Quick-Reply Buttons

You can also use quick-reply buttons instead of URL buttons.

This is useful when you want customers to respond directly inside WhatsApp.

"action": {
  "buttons": [
    {
      "type": "quick_reply",
      "quick_reply": {
        "id": "learn_product_1",
        "title": "Learn More"
      }
    },
    {
      "type": "quick_reply",
      "quick_reply": {
        "id": "save_product_1",
        "title": "Save"
      }
    }
  ]
}

Remember: if one card contains 2 quick-reply buttons, every card must also contain exactly 2 quick-reply buttons.

Important Parameters

Parameter	Description
body.text	Main message text. Maximum 1024 characters.
cards	Array of cards. Minimum 2, maximum 10.
card_index	Position of the card in the carousel, starting from 0.
header.type	Must be image or video.
body.text inside card	Optional card description. Maximum 160 characters.
display_text	Label shown on the URL button. Maximum 20 characters.
url	URL opened when the customer taps the button.
quick_reply.id	Unique identifier for quick-reply button selection.
quick_reply.title	Text shown on the quick-reply button. Maximum 20 characters.

Best Practices for Carousel Campaigns

Use strong visuals.High-quality images and short videos improve engagement.
Keep card text short.Customers should understand each card in just a few seconds.
Use the same style across all cards.Consistent branding makes the message look more professional.
Put your most important card first.The first card gets the highest number of views.
Use clear button labels.Examples:
- Buy Now
- Learn More
- Book Now
- View Details
Limit the number of cards.Even though WhatsApp allows up to 10 cards, 3 to 5 cards often perform best.
Choose the right button type.
- Use URL buttons when you want customers to visit a website.
- Use quick replies when you want customers to continue the conversation inside WhatsApp.

Business Use Cases

Ecommerce

Show multiple products, categories, or sale offers in one message.

Travel

Display travel packages, hotels, or destination options.

Real Estate

Show multiple properties with photos and “View Property” buttons.

Education

Present courses, webinars, or training programs.

Automotive

Display vehicle models, offers, or service packages.

Restaurants

Highlight menu items, combo offers, or seasonal specials.

Create Rich WhatsApp Campaigns with Hibot

Hibot makes it easy to create interactive carousel messages without technical complexity.

With Hibot, you can:

Build media-rich WhatsApp campaigns
Add images, videos, and buttons to every card
Showcase multiple products in one message
Track clicks and customer responses
Increase engagement and conversions

Whether you want to sell products, promote offers, or help customers explore services, Hibot helps you turn WhatsApp into a modern interactive experience.

Start using Hibot today and create carousel campaigns that customers love to engage with.