Home/Glossary/What is a session message?

Messaging and templates

What is a session message?

A session message is any WhatsApp message sent by a business inside an open 24-hour customer service window without using a template: text, images, documents, audio, video, stickers, locations, contacts and interactive messages. Session messages are free and unlimited while the window is open and cannot be sent once it closes.

Updated 29 Aug 2026 · 1 min read

On this page
  1. Why it matters
  2. In VGraple CRM
  3. Related terms

MESSAGING AND TEMPLATES

Session message

A session message is any WhatsApp message sent by a business inside an open 24-hour customer service window without using a template: text, images, documents, audio, video, stickers, locations, contacts and interactive messages. Session messages are free and unlimited while the window is open and cannot be sent once it closes.

free form messagecustomer service windowerror 131047

Session message in one line

Why it matters

Session messages are where almost all support and sales conversation happens and where it costs nothing. The term matters because Meta's error 131047 (re-engagement) means exactly "you tried to send a session message outside a session", and because pricing changes since 2023 made session messages free everywhere.

In VGraple CRM

The inbox composer sends session messages while the window is open and switches to templates when it closes; flows do the same automatically. The window countdown on each conversation tells agents how long they have.

Free-form message, Customer service window, Error 131047.

Frequently asked questions

Is a session message the same as a free-form message?
Yes. The two terms are used interchangeably; Meta's docs say free-form.
Can a session message contain a link?
Yes. Links in session messages are allowed; only templates restrict where URLs go.
Are media session messages free?
Yes, inside the window.

Run your WhatsApp on VGraple CRM

Free forever plan, official Meta WhatsApp Business API, set up in 15 minutes. No card needed.