# WhatsApp API Error 130472:  User's Number is Part of an Experiment [Everything You Need to Know]
Author: Prashant Jangid
Author URL: https://www.heltar.com/blogs/author/prashant-jangid
Published: 2024-12-15
Category: Troubleshoot
Category URL: https://www.heltar.com/blogs/category/troubleshoot
Tags: WhatsApp API Error
Tag URLs: WhatsApp API Error (https://www.heltar.com/blogs/tag/whatsapp-api-error)
URL: https://www.heltar.com/blogs/whatsapp-api-error-130472-users-number-is-part-of-an-experiment-everything-you-need-to-know-cm4pmys5q00gg10m810454has

If you use the WhatsApp Business API for marketing, you may encounter error code **#130472** with the message: **"User's number is part of an experiment."**

This blog explains why this happens and what you can do about it.

### What Does Error 130472 Mean?

Starting June 14, 2023, WhatsApp began running a **Marketing Message Experiment** affecting roughly 1% of users. Under this experiment:

- Marketing template messages are **not delivered** to users in the test group unless at least one of these conditions is met:


  - The customer must have messaged your business within the last 24 hours.

  - A marketing message conversation must already be ongoing with the customer.

  - The customer initiated contact via a free-entry point, such as a Click-to-WhatsApp ad or link.


- If your message is blocked as part of the experiment, you receive a webhook with error code #130472, and the message will be marked as undeliverable.


You are **not billed** for undelivered messages, and resending the message will result in the same error.

### What Can You Do About It?

If you need to send a marketing message to a customer affected by this experiment:

1. **Ask the customer to message you first.** Once they initiate contact, you can respond within the 24-hour customer service window.

2. Use email, SMS, calls, or other **alternate communication channels** to contact the customer.


WhatsApp cannot provide exceptions or opt-outs for users in the experiment group and **attempting to resend the message will not bypass the restriction.** However, as the experiment applies to a very small percentage of users, most of your messages will still go through.

For more insights related to WhatsApp Business API, check out our other blogs at [heltar.com/blogs](http://heltar.com/blogs).


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