> ## 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.

# Collect WhatsApp marketing consent

> Record marketing consent through customer import, a chat widget, bitLink, or a WhatsApp Form before campaigns.

You can record existing consent during a customer import or collect it in customer-facing experiences. Before sending marketing messages, make sure your consent process and message use comply with the [WhatsApp Business Policy](https://business.whatsapp.com/policy).

Chat Widget, bitLink newsletter opt-in, and AI data collection provide consent-collection routes whose results are stored in bitCRM. Shopify checkout is not currently a source of marketing consent for this bitbybit workflow.

Syncing customer data, including using **Sync now**, only updates customer information. It does not collect, record, or prove marketing consent.

## Step 1: Import customers with existing consent

* Go to **Customers** and select **Add customer**.
* Choose **Bulk import**.
* Download the import template, complete the consent-related fields for customers who have already opted in, and upload the completed file.

For country-code requirements, see [Customer import country code reference](/settings/customer-import-country-code-reference).

## Step 2: Collect consent in a customer experience

Use one or more of these product surfaces when you collect new consent:

* **Chat Widget**: configure a pre-chat form that asks for a customer's phone number before the conversation starts. See [Set up a pre-chat form in the Chat Widget](/bitchat/how-to-set-up-a-pre-chat-form-in-chat-widget).
* **bitLink**: add a mailing-list button so visitors can opt in from your bitLink page. See [Add a mailing list button](/bitlink/how-to-add-a-mailing-list-button).
* **WhatsApp Form**: add an **Opt in** field in a bitChat WhatsApp Form. This is a bitChat capability; it is not a native opt-in widget in bitCRM. See [How to create a WhatsApp Form](/bitchat/how-to-create-a-whatsapp-form).
* **AI agent**: configure a data-collection skill to ask for and record the information your workflow needs.

## Step 3: Keep proof of consent current

Use clear language that identifies what customers are agreeing to, and preserve the records your business needs. Review Meta's policy whenever your consent flow or marketing use changes.

Collecting a phone number alone does not replace permission to send marketing messages. Make the opt-in explicit in the experience where you collect it.


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