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

# Set up Category protection

> Pause automations when a WhatsApp template changes to Marketing, then review affected templates before turning automations back on.

Use **Category protection** to pause automations when Meta changes a WhatsApp template to Marketing from another category. Review the template before continuing at its new rate.

This company-wide setting covers **WhatsApp Cloud API and Coexistence automations**, not Campaigns or one-to-one messages. It is off by default.

## Before you start

Only **Super admin** and **Admin** users can change the setting. It applies to all connected Cloud API and Coexistence accounts in your company.

## 1. Turn on Category protection

1. Open [Settings → bitCRM → Category protection](https://app.bitbybit.studio/settings?section=automation-safety).
2. Turn on **Pause automations on category change**.
3. Click **Save changes**, or **Discard changes** to cancel.

![Category protection settings with Pause automations on category change enabled](https://mintcdn.com/asmaraku/R6HVyXyrbIa1wAhS/images/bitcrm/category-protection-settings.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=R6HVyXyrbIa1wAhS\&q=85\&s=921995aac609a0c42ad764d3f3c99465)

Only future category changes are covered. Turning protection on does not pause automations for earlier changes.

## 2. Review a paused automation

1. Open [bitCRM → Automation](https://app.bitbybit.studio/bitcrm/automation-new).
2. Under **Automations need your review**, click **Review**.
3. In **Review category update**, check the template, automation, and new category. Choose:
   * **Replace template:** switch to another approved template.
   * **Keep current template:** accept its new category and rate.
4. Click **Confirm and resume** to proceed with your choice.

If you chose **Replace template**, the affected message action opens. Select another approved template and save it; saving the same template does not clear the block.

If you keep the template and Meta cannot verify its category, the window shows the last known category.

**Keep current template** is unavailable when Meta rejected the template for the wrong category. Replace the template instead.

## 3. Turn the automation back on

Review every affected action, then turn the automation back on. Clearing one block does not clear others, and the automation does not restart automatically.

## What happens when Meta changes a template's category

**Protection on**

When a template changes **to Marketing from another category**:

* Active automations using it become **Inactive**.
* Draft and inactive automations cannot be enabled until reviewed.
* An email lists the affected automations.

Marketing → Utility does not trigger a new pause or clear an existing block.

**Protection off**

Automations continue at the new rate. No category-change pause or email is triggered, and the affected WhatsApp message action shows a warning.

**Template rejected**

If Meta rejects a template for the wrong category, affected automations are paused and an email is sent **even when Category protection is off**. Replace the template, or edit it and obtain Meta approval again.

## FAQ

> **Why is my automation still paused?**
>
> Turning protection off, saving the automation, or a later category change does not clear a block. Review each affected action, replace or keep the template, then turn the automation back on.

> **What if the category changed before I enabled protection?**
>
> **Review template category changes** lists earlier changes and affected automations. Those automations were not paused by enabling the setting; open each one to review its template.

> **Who can change the setting or resolve a block?**
>
> Only **Super admin** and **Admin** users can edit Category protection. If it is read-only, contact an admin.
>
> **Agent** users cannot resolve blocks. Super admin, Admin, Staff, and Staff Agent users can review them and receive the notification email.

> **Which parts of an automation are affected?**
>
> A block applies to the same WhatsApp account, template, and language. It pauses the whole automation, including waiting steps and other branches. Messages already accepted by Meta cannot be recalled.

## Related

* [Choose a WhatsApp Cloud API template](/bitcrm/how-to-create-a-message-template-for-whatsapp-cloud-api-automation)
* [Create or manage an automation](/bitcrm/how-to-create-an-automation)
* [Set a campaign spend limit](/bitcrm/how-to-set-a-campaign-spend-limit)
* [Meta template categorization reference](https://developers.facebook.com/docs/whatsapp/business-management-api/message-templates/template-categorization)


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