WhatsApp Business Username Update 2026: FAQs, BSUID & Complete Guide

WhatsApp is no longer just a messaging app for friends and family. Over the years, it has become one of the most powerful platforms for business communication, customer support, and marketing. Now, WhatsApp is preparing for one of its biggest changes ever — the introduction of WhatsApp Usernames in 2026.

This update will completely change how users and businesses connect on WhatsApp. Instead of sharing phone numbers, people will be able to chat using unique usernames, similar to platforms like Telegram or Instagram.

For businesses, this update is more than just a feature — it is a strategic shift that will impact WhatsApp Business accounts, APIs, CRM systems, customer data, and marketing workflows.

In this blog, we will explain everything you need to know about the WhatsApp Business Username Update, in simple and easy English.

What Is the WhatsApp Username Update?

The WhatsApp Username update allows users to create a unique username that can be used to communicate on WhatsApp without revealing their phone number.

Until now, WhatsApp has been a phone-number-based platform. Every chat, contact, and business interaction depended on a phone number. From 2026 onwards, WhatsApp users will have the option to:

• Hide their phone number

• Display a username instead

• Chat safely in one-to-one conversations and groups

• Contact businesses using usernames

This change is designed to improve privacy, security, and user control.

Why Is WhatsApp Introducing Usernames?

WhatsApp has shared that usernames are one of the most requested features by users worldwide. The update is focused on three major goals:

1. Better Privacy for Users

Many users do not feel comfortable sharing their phone numbers with strangers, businesses, or unknown groups. With usernames:

• Phone numbers can remain private

• Risk of spam and misuse is reduced

• Users feel more secure

2. More Control Over Identity

Users can decide:

• When to share their phone number

• When to use only a username

• How they appear in chats and groups

3. Improved Business Discovery

For businesses, usernames will act as a searchable identity, making it easier for customers to find and contact the right brand.

What Are WhatsApp Business Usernames?

A WhatsApp Business Username is a unique identifier for a business account. Customers will be able to search for a business directly by its username and start a conversation.

For example:

• @rankonmaps

• @mybusinesssupport

• @brandhelpdesk

Unlike display names, usernames are:

• Unique

• Searchable

• Reliable for identification

This is a huge advantage for branding and customer trust.

How Will This Update Affect Businesses?

The WhatsApp Username update will change how businesses:

• Identify customers

• Store customer data

• Run WhatsApp marketing campaigns

• Automate conversations

Earlier:

• Customer = Phone Number

Now:

• Customer = Phone Number OR Username-based ID

This means businesses must be ready to handle multiple identifiers.

What Is BSUID (Business-Scoped User ID)?

BSUID stands for Business-Scoped User ID.

When a user adopts a WhatsApp username:

• Their phone number may not be shared

• WhatsApp will send a BSUID instead

• This BSUID will appear in the user_id field in WhatsApp Business API webhooks

Important points about BSUID:

• It is unique for each business

• It replaces phone numbers in many cases

• It is required to track conversations

If your system is not ready for BSUIDs, you may lose customer chat context.

When Will Businesses Receive BSUID Instead of Phone Numbers?

Businesses will receive a BSUID instead of a phone number when:

• A user has enabled a WhatsApp username

• The user has phone number privacy enabled

In such cases:

• wa_id (phone number) may be empty

• user_id (BSUID) will be sent

In some older or existing customer interactions, phone numbers may still be shared. However, WhatsApp strongly recommends starting BSUID integration early.

Why Is BSUID Adoption Important for Businesses?

If a business does not adopt BSUID properly, it may face:

• Broken chat history

• Incomplete CRM data

• Failed automation workflows

• Incorrect customer tracking

• Issues in campaigns and reporting

To avoid these problems, businesses must update their systems before the full rollout.

Systems That Businesses Need to Update

1. WhatsApp Business API Webhooks

• Support the new user_id field

• Accept both phone numbers and BSUIDs

2. CRM and Databases

• Store multiple identifiers for one customer

• Map phone numbers with BSUIDs

• Avoid duplicate customer records

3. Chatbots and Automation

• Handle cases where phone numbers are not available

• Design flexible conversation flows

4. Campaign and Analytics Tools

• Ensure triggered messages work correctly

• Keep reporting accurate

What If a Business Still Needs Phone Numbers?

Some industries like:

• Banking

• Finance

• Healthcare

• Logistics

may still require phone numbers.

In such cases, WhatsApp recommends:

• Politely requesting the phone number during chat

• Allowing users to continue even if they don’t share it

• Designing alternate conversation journeys

User consent remains very important.

Business Username vs Display Name

Many businesses confuse usernames with display names. They are not the same.

A strong business username improves brand credibility and reach.

SEO Benefits of WhatsApp Business Usernames

From a digital marketing perspective, WhatsApp Business usernames offer several advantages:

• Strong brand recall

• Easy sharing on social media and websites

• Better customer trust

• Clear identity across platforms

Usernames act like a digital asset, similar to domain names or social media handles.

How Businesses Should Prepare for the WhatsApp Username Update

Step 1: Audit Your Current Setup

Check if your system:

• Depends only on phone numbers

• Can support multiple identifiers

Step 2: Talk to Your WhatsApp API Provider

Confirm:

• BSUID support

• Timeline for updates

Step 3: Update Data Structure

Ensure:

• One customer can have multiple IDs

• Old and new data stays connected

Step 4: Train Your Team

Educate:

• Sales teams

• Support staff

• Marketing teams

A Quick Word About Business Growth & Visibility

Preparing for WhatsApp updates is only one part of business growth. Visibility on platforms like Google Maps is equally important.

Rank On Maps is a trusted Google My Business Optimization Company that helps local businesses improve their Google Maps rankings, visibility, and customer leads. If you want more calls, visits, and local reach, Rank On Maps can help you stay ahead of competitors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the WhatsApp Business Username update?

The WhatsApp Business Username update is a major feature coming in 2026 that allows users and businesses to communicate on WhatsApp using unique usernames instead of phone numbers.

Until now, WhatsApp has worked only with phone numbers. With this update, users can choose to hide their phone numbers and use a username when chatting in one-to-one conversations or groups. For businesses, this means customers may contact them without sharing a phone number, which improves privacy and trust.

This update will impact WhatsApp Business accounts, WhatsApp Business API, customer identification, CRM systems, and automation tools. Businesses must adapt their systems to handle usernames and new user IDs to avoid disruption.

2. Why is WhatsApp introducing usernames for business and personal accounts?

WhatsApp is introducing usernames mainly to improve privacy, security, and user control. Many users do not feel comfortable sharing their phone numbers with unknown people or businesses.

Usernames help WhatsApp:

• Protect user phone number privacy

• Reduce spam and misuse

• Give users more control over their identity

• Improve how businesses are discovered and contacted

Usernames are one of the most requested features by WhatsApp users worldwide. This update aligns WhatsApp with modern communication platforms while keeping conversations secure.

3. How will WhatsApp usernames affect businesses?

The WhatsApp username update will change how businesses identify and manage customers. Earlier, every customer interaction was linked to a phone number. After the update, businesses may receive usernames or new user IDs instead of phone numbers.

This affects:

• CRM systems

• Chat history tracking

• WhatsApp automation and chatbots

• Marketing campaigns and analytics

Businesses that prepare early will experience a smooth transition, while unprepared businesses may face data gaps or broken conversation flows.

4. What is BSUID and why is it important?

BSUID stands for Business-Scoped User ID. It is a unique identifier that WhatsApp will send to businesses when a user has enabled a username and hidden their phone number.

Instead of a phone number, businesses will receive a BSUID in the user_id field through WhatsApp Business API webhooks. This ID helps businesses track conversations, store customer data, and maintain chat history.

BSUID is important because without it, businesses may lose conversation context and fail to recognize returning customers.

5. When will businesses receive a BSUID instead of a phone number?

Businesses will receive a BSUID when a user:

• Has created a WhatsApp username

• Has enabled phone number privacy

In these cases:

• The phone number field (wa_id) may be empty

• The BSUID will be sent in the user_id field

Phone numbers may still be shared in some existing customer interactions, but WhatsApp recommends preparing for a future where BSUID becomes the primary identifier.

6. Do businesses need to update their WhatsApp Business API?

Yes, businesses using the WhatsApp Business API must update their systems to support BSUID and usernames.

This includes:

• Updating webhook integrations

• Handling multiple user identifiers

• Mapping BSUIDs with existing CRM records

• Updating automation workflows

Failing to update the API integration can result in lost messages, incomplete customer profiles, and broken chat automation.

7. What changes are required in CRM systems?

CRM systems must be updated to:

• Store both phone numbers and BSUIDs

• Link new BSUIDs with old customer records

• Avoid creating duplicate customer profiles

CRMs that rely only on phone numbers will not work effectively after the username update. Businesses should ensure their CRM can handle multiple identifiers for one customer.

8. Can businesses still request phone numbers from users?

Yes, businesses can still request phone numbers if needed, especially in industries like:

• Banking

• Finance

• Healthcare

• Delivery and logistics

However, sharing a phone number will depend on user consent. Businesses should design polite and transparent conversation flows and allow users to continue even if they choose not to share their phone number.

9. What is the difference between a business username and a display name?

A business username is a unique, searchable identity that customers can use to find and contact a business on WhatsApp. It follows specific formatting rules and is designed for discovery.

A display name, on the other hand, is just a visible name and cannot be searched. Display names are not unique and may be similar across multiple businesses.

For branding and trust, business usernames are far more effective than display names.

10. How will WhatsApp usernames improve customer privacy?

With usernames, customers can:

• Chat with businesses without sharing phone numbers

• Avoid spam calls and messages

• Control who can see their personal information

This creates a safer environment and builds greater trust between customers and businesses, leading to better engagement and long-term relationships.

11. Will WhatsApp usernames affect WhatsApp marketing campaigns?

Yes, WhatsApp marketing campaigns will be affected. Businesses will need to:

• Update targeting logic

• Use BSUIDs instead of phone numbers

• Ensure triggered messages reach the correct user

Marketing teams must work closely with technical teams to ensure campaigns remain effective after the update.

12. Is WhatsApp username update good for small businesses?

Absolutely. The update helps small businesses by:

• Improving brand visibility through searchable usernames

• Making it easier for customers to find them

• Increasing trust and professionalism

Small businesses that adapt early can compete more effectively with larger brands.

13. How can businesses prepare for the WhatsApp Business Username update?

Businesses should:

1. Audit current WhatsApp and CRM systems

2. Talk to their WhatsApp API provider

3. Update databases and automation tools

4. Train teams on the new system

Early preparation ensures smooth communication and uninterrupted customer service.

14. When will WhatsApp usernames officially launch?

WhatsApp has announced that usernames will roll out in 2026. The rollout may happen in phases, so businesses should start preparing now rather than waiting for the final launch.

15. What is the biggest advantage of WhatsApp usernames for businesses?

The biggest advantage is stronger customer trust and better brand identity. Usernames make businesses easier to find, improve privacy, and support long-term digital communication strategies.