July 17, 2025

Top 10 WhatsApp Text Formatting Tricks for Marketers

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In the fast-paced world of messaging, WhatsApp has emerged as a powerhouse for marketing with over 2 billion users worldwide. WhatsApp messages boast astonishing engagement, with roughly 80% read within 5 minutes, and open rates averaging around 98%, significantly outperforming email metrics. But with great reach comes great competition for attention. People's attention spans on chat are fleeting, and long, unformatted messages often go ignored. To captivate customers, savvy marketers are turning to WhatsApp's text formatting features to make their messages pop. Well-structured, visually distinctive texts are not only easier to read but can improve message recall by up to 30%.

In this guide, we’ll explore 10 powerful WhatsApp text formatting tricks that marketers can use to highlight key points, convey offers with clarity, and boost engagement. From bolding urgent announcements to using bullet points for clarity, these tips will help your messages stand out in a crowded chat inbox and drive action. 

Are you ready to elevate your WhatsApp marketing game? Let’s dive in!

WhatsApp offers simple text formatting options – like bold, italic, strikethrough, and monospace – to help emphasize and organize your messages. In the above image, you can see how adding special characters (such as * for bold, _ for italic, ~ for strikethrough, and triple backticks for monospace) changes the appearance of text. Marketers can harness these styling tricks to ensure important details stand out, making messages more visually engaging and easier to digest.

1. Bold Text – Make Key Information Stand Out

When it comes to grabbing attention, bold text is your best friend. Bolding a word or line instantly draws the eye and signals “this is important”. In fact, studies show bold text is noticed more quickly than italics for highlighting information. Marketers can use this to their advantage by bolding critical details like offers, discounts, or deadlines. For example, instead of a plain announcement, you might write: “Get ready for our BIG 50% OFF SALE tomorrow!” – the bold phrase ensures the offer isn’t missed.

  • First-line impact: Consider making your first line bold if possible. WhatsApp displays only the first snippet of a message in notifications and chat previews. A bold, intriguing first line can significantly increase open rates, much like an email subject line. E.g., “🔥 FLASH SALE TODAY! 🔥” as a bold opener will pique curiosity in the chat list. According to marketing experts, if the first sentence is compelling and highlighted, more people will open and read the message. Even though WhatsApp messages are almost always opened, you still want to hook the reader early.
  • How to do it: To bold text on WhatsApp, surround your word or phrase with *asterisks*. For instance, typing *Limited Time Offer* will appear as Limited Time Offer in the chat. You can bold entire sentences or just the key phrase, but avoid overusing bold. If everything is bold, nothing stands out – and it can look “messy” or shouty. Use bold sparingly for maximum impact on the words that matter most.

Bold formatting is perfect for emphasizing value propositions and CTAs in your WhatsApp marketing messages. Think product names, sale percentages, or calls-to-action (e.g., Buy Now). By highlighting a few critical words in bold, you make your message hard to ignore. As one WhatsApp marketing guide notes, when you highlight important words in bold, the message is less likely to be ignored – just be cautious not to bold everything, or it loses effect. In short, bold text is a simple trick that can instantly direct your customer’s focus to what you want them to see first.

2. Italic Text – Add Emphasis with a Personal Touch 

While bold shouts, italics whispers – offering a softer emphasis for secondary details. Italic text is great for highlighting names, subtle remarks, or conversational tone elements without stealing the spotlight from the main message. Marketers can use italics to add a personal, human feel to messages, almost like adding a gentle aside or friendly note that complements the main text. For example: “Hi Jane, we have an exclusive offer just for you today.” Here, italicizing "exclusive offer" adds a subtle emphasis that feels personal and friendly.

  • Use cases: Italics work well for titles, names, or disclaimers. If you’re mentioning a product name or an event title, italicizing it can make it stand out in a stylish yet understated way. It’s also useful for words in a different language, or for adding a bit of flair to your tone. Marketers often italicize parts of a message to add a casual or conversational tone, which can make the message feel more personal. For instance, “Don’t forget, offer ends midnight!” gives a friendly nudge feel. You might also italicize a short customer testimonial or a slogan within your message to distinguish it from the rest of the text.
  • How to do it: To italicize on WhatsApp, place an underscore _ on both sides of the text. For example, typing _New Arrivals_ will show as New Arrivals. As with bolding, ensure there are no spaces between the underscores and the text for it to work correctly. Once applied, the underscores will disappear, and your text will slant.

Italics provide gentle emphasis – they’re noticeable but not as in-your-face as bold. This makes them perfect for highlighting secondary information: perhaps the name of the customer (personalization), a coupon code, or a short tagline. According to WhatsApp formatting tips, italics lend a creative, relaxed feel to your message, helping it feel fun and personal. Keep in mind that italics are more subtle – ideal for when you want to stress a point without dominating the message. In combination with bold (for the main point) and italics (for the supporting point), your messages will convey a clear hierarchy of information that resonates with readers.

3. Strikethrough – Showcase Discounts & Updates 

Strikethrough text is a handy formatting trick that draws attention by crossing out text. It might seem counterintuitive – why cross out your own words? But for marketers, strikethroughs are gold when you want to show a change or a “before-and-after”. A classic example is indicating a price drop: $99 $79. By striking through the original price and placing the new price next to it, you visually highlight the discount – the contrast practically screams “sale!” to the reader. This technique immediately lets customers see what deal they’re getting.

  • Use cases: Showcasing discounts is the #1 use of strikethrough in marketing. You can write something like: “Now only $399 +$499+!” (without the plus signs, which are added here just to show formatting) and WhatsApp will display it as “Now only $399 $499!”. The old price appears crossed out, emphasizing the new lower price. Beyond pricing, you can use a strikethrough to indicate something is no longer applicable or has been corrected. For example, if you sent a time-sensitive offer that expired, a follow-up might say, "Oops, the promo code SAVE20 (expired). Use NEW20 instead.*" This shows transparency and clarity in your communication.
  • How to do it: To strikethrough text on WhatsApp, place a tilde ~ on both sides of the word or phrase. For instance, typing ~Limited Stock~ will appear as Limited Stock. As always, ensure no extra spaces around the tildes. Many users aren’t even aware this feature exists, so a strikethrough text can really catch the eye as something different.

According to marketing experts, the strikethrough effect is underutilized and often surprises readers, which can work in your favor. It’s perfect for highlighting what’s been “removed” or changed in an offer. Customers see the comparison instantly. For example: “Your reward: ₹500 ₹1000 cashback!” shows an increased reward, doubling the impact. Or “Buy 1 Get 1 50% 100% FREE”, showing an offer improvement. Strikethroughs add a sense of urgency and correction, implying that things have changed (often for the better deal). Just be sure the context is clear – you don’t want to confuse users. When used wisely, strikethrough formatting can make your discounts and updates unmissable.

4. Monospace Font – Highlight Codes & Create Contrast 

Monospace is a special font style where every character occupies the same width (like old typewriters or code editors). WhatsApp’s monospace text option is fantastic for making certain text segments stand out in a blocky, technical-looking font. Why would marketers care about a “code” font? Because it’s perfect for things like coupon codes, order numbers, or any text you want to separate from normal conversational text. For example: “Use code SAVE50 at checkout.” The code inside triple backticks will appear in a monospace block, immediately drawing attention to it as a unique element.

  • Use cases: Coupon or promo codes are a top use case – monospace formatting makes them unambiguous and easy to copy. If you send Here is your coupon: ```SUMMER2025````, it will show as: Here is your coupon: SUMMER2025`. This way, the code stands out and is clearly distinct from the rest of the message (no one will mistake it as part of a sentence). Monospace is also great for technical info: Wi-Fi passwords, product SKUs, serial numbers, or any data that needs to be clearly read. Additionally, because of its fixed-width nature, monospace text can be used to create a rudimentary alignment or table. For example, you could list items and prices in columns using spaces, and in monospace, they will line up neatly, e.g., Item Price on separate lines will align like a mini table. This can make information like menu lists or fee breakdowns easier to read.
  • How to do it: To format text in monospace on WhatsApp, surround your text with three backticks ( ). For instance, typing Latest Offer (with three backticks on each side of Latest Offer, no spaces) will display as Latest Offer in a monospace font. On most keyboards, the backtick is the grave accent mark (`). If you’re on mobile and can’t find the triple backtick easily, WhatsApp also provides an alternative: you can select the text and choose monospace from the formatting menu (on Android, after tapping the three-dot menu when text is selected).

Monospace text immediately gives a techie, clipboard-friendly look. Users perceive monospace text as something to copy exactly (useful for codes or commands) or something that carries technical authority. As one guide notes, this formatting keeps text neat and easy to read, preventing any alignment issues. Marketers can leverage this by using monospace for parts of the message that should stand apart. For example, including Order ID: ```AB12345XYZ``` in a support or confirmation message ensures the customer easily identifies their order number. It’s all about creating contrast. In a sea of regular WhatsApp font, a monospace snippet looks different enough to catch the eye and convey importance. Just remember, monospace will not combine with other formatting (you can’t bold or italicize inside monospace – it will literally show the symbols), so use it solely for the specific text you want isolated. Done right, this trick adds a layer of professionalism and clarity to your WhatsApp communications.

5. Bulleted Lists – Organize Information for Easy Scanning 

Ever receive a WhatsApp message that was a giant block of text listing multiple points, and you just skimmed it or gave up? For marketers, clarity is king. Thankfully, in early 2024, WhatsApp introduced bulleted lists as a formatting feature. This is a game-changer for making messages with multiple points much more readable. Instead of writing a long sentence with commas or line breaks, you can now send a neat bulleted list right within a single message.

  • Use cases: Bulleted lists are ideal when you want to share multiple benefits, features, or tips in one go. For example, if you’re promoting a product, you might list its top three features in bullet form:
    • High-quality organic ingredients
    • 50% off for first-time buyers
    • Free shipping worldwide
      Each point is concise and starts on a new line with a bullet, making it super easy for the reader to scan. You can also use bullets for listing steps (if order isn’t critical) or highlighting multiple options available. For instance, a boutique might message: "Here are our new arrivals:" followed by a bulleted list of items. From a marketing perspective, well-structured lists help ensure no key point gets lost in the mix.

How to do it: Creating a bulleted list in WhatsApp is simple: start each new line with a hyphen (-) or an asterisk (*) followed by a space. For example, typing:

- Point One  

- Point Two  

- Point Three

  • will appear as a nice list:
    • Point One
    • Point Two
    • Point Three
      WhatsApp will automatically format these with bullet points (•) in the chat. Make sure to put each item on a new line. This feature works on updated versions of WhatsApp across devices, so both you and your recipients should see the bullets.

Using bulleted lists improves readability dramatically. Research shows that lists break info into clear, bite-sized chunks, helping readers focus on each idea. Instead of sending a chunky paragraph of features or instructions, bullet points let your customers quickly absorb each benefit or step. This formatting trick also conveys a sense of professionalism and organization, which can boost your brand’s impression. As a pro tip, keep each bullet point brief (one or two lines). That way, your WhatsApp message looks clean and is easy to scroll, increasing the likelihood that the customer will read all your points. In a nutshell, when you have multiple points to make, use bullets – your audience will thank you for the clarity.

6. Numbered Lists – Step-by-Step Guidance

Similar to bulleted lists, numbered lists let you organize information sequentially. They are perfect for situations where order matters – think step-by-step instructions, countdowns, or ranked lists. For marketers, this is incredibly useful when you want to guide a customer through a process (like redeeming an offer or setting something up) or when presenting a list of reasons/features in order of importance. Numbered lists ensure the reader follows the intended sequence.

  • Use cases:Step-by-step guides are a natural fit. For example, if you’re telling a user how to claim a promo:
    1. Click the link above to visit our site.
    2. Add your favorite item to the cart.
    3. Enter code SAVE50 at checkout for 50% off.
      This numbered list clearly walks the customer through the exact flow, making it easy for them to follow and act. Another use might be a "Top 3 benefits of our service" where you number them 1, 2, 3 to imply ranking (with 1 being the most compelling benefit). Or during a campaign, you might use a countdown: "3...2...1... 🎉 Offer Live!" spread over multiple lines with numbers to build anticipation. Numbered lists bring an inherent structure and progression that can psychologically encourage a reader to complete all the steps or read all points (nobody likes stopping at 2 when a 3 is expected!).

How to do it: To create a numbered list in WhatsApp, start a line with the number and a period (e.g., 1.) followed by a space. For example:

1. Step One  

2. Step Two  

3. Step Three

  • WhatsApp will format this automatically as:
    1. Step One
    2. Step Two
    3. Step Three
      Just ensure each item is on a new line and that you use the proper "number, period, space" format. The numbering will display exactly as typed (WhatsApp doesn’t auto-increment the numbers, so you should number them manually in order).

Numbered lists in WhatsApp are excellent for clarity and guidance. They add a sense of order and can make your message feel like a helpful checklist or set of instructions. This is great in marketing messages where you may be instructing the user, e.g., how to apply a discount or the steps to sign up for an event. Users are more likely to follow through when instructions are clear and broken down. In fact, using numbered steps can improve comprehension because it sets expectations on the length of the process and groups the actions logically. From a strategic standpoint, numbered lists also imply a logical rationale (for example, "5 Reasons to Try Our Product" suggests there’s a thoughtful order, perhaps from most to least important reason). So whenever your WhatsApp communication needs a sequence or a hierarchy, remember you can now use numbered formatting to present it cleanly.

7. Block Quotes – Highlight Testimonials or Key Statements

Sometimes you want a line of text to stand apart as a quote or a highlighted note. Block quotes in WhatsApp let you indent a paragraph with a vertical line, indicating it's a quoted text or special highlight. For marketers, this is a brilliant way to showcase a customer testimonial, a review snippet, or even a slogan/tagline you want to emphasize. Visually, it breaks the flow of your message and draws attention due to the indent and unique styling.

  • Use cases: One powerful use case is customer testimonials or endorsements. Imagine you’re chatting with a prospect and you drop in a glowing one-liner from a satisfied customer:

    "This product increased our sales by 30% in a month! – Happy Client"
    This quote, formatted as a block quote, immediately stands out and adds credibility without you directly tooting your own horn. Another use is highlighting a key insight or tip in a series of messages. For instance, if sharing a marketing tip of the day, you might quote an expert:
    "Content is king, but engagement is queen, and the lady rules the house."
    Block quotes can also call out terms and conditions or an important note in an otherwise promotional message (though typically you might prefix "Note:" instead). Essentially, use block quotes when you want a section of text to catch eyeballs and be set apart from your main message body.

How to do it: To create a block quote in WhatsApp, start a new line with > followed by a space. For example:

> This is a quoted text.

  •  When you send it, it will appear indented with a vertical line, like:

    This is a quoted text.
    If you continue typing on the next line without >, that text will return to normal formatting. So ensure to put > at the start of each line that you want in the quote block (or use a line break within the quote as needed). This feature was introduced alongside lists in 2024, so make sure your app is updated to see the proper formatting.

Block quotes make messages stand out and seem special. They naturally draw the reader’s attention because they break the alignment and look of the chat bubble. For marketers, this is an opportunity to inject social proof or important takeaways in a way that catches the eye. According to messaging tips, block quotes are great for highlighting key ideas or inspiring quotes, making them more memorable to the reader. The visual separation also helps in not overwhelming the reader with too much promotional text at once – it’s like a breath in the message where a different voice or important note comes through. So, if you have a golden testimonial quote or a phrase you really want your audience to remember, set it as a block quote. It adds variety to your message format and elevates the perceived importance of that text snippet.

8. Combining Formatting Styles – Double the Emphasis 

Once you’re comfortable with basic formatting, you can get creative and combine styles for extra emphasis. WhatsApp allows certain formatting to be applied together on the same text – for example, bold + italic or bold + strikethrough. This means you can make a word both bold and italic at the same time, which could be useful for something you want to really stand out in context. Marketers might use a combination for an ultra-important keyword or phrase in a message that absolutely must catch attention – think of it as the text equivalent of bolding, underlining, and highlighting a phrase in print (though WhatsApp doesn’t have underline by default).

  • Use cases: One practical example is when announcing a major limited-time offer. You might want to convey urgency and importance: "Hurry, 50% OFF ends tonight!". The phrase "50% OFF ends tonight" here would appear both bold and italic, which visually sets it apart even more than just bold alone. Another example: if something is new and important, you could do "Check out our NEW Feature Update" – where "NEW Feature Update" is bold+italic, screaming for attention. Combining bold with strikethrough could be used in a playful way for crossing out a sarcastic word in bold, although in marketing, you might rarely need bold+strikethrough unless to emphasize the part that’s being negated strongly. The key is not to overuse combinations, but they can be handy for that one very important part of your message.
  • How to do it: To combine styles, you simply put both markup symbols around the text. The order of symbols generally doesn’t matter, but the closing symbols should mirror the opening order to work correctly. For example, to do bold + italic, you can write *_Great Deal_*. An asterisk and underscore before Great and an underscore then asterisk after Deal will output Great Deal (bold and italic). Similarly, *~text~* would give you text (bold and strikethrough simultaneously). WhatsApp’s formatting supports bold, italics, and strikethrough combinations freely. One combination not possible is with monospace – you cannot do bold or italic inside a monospace block (monospace will cancel other formatting). But aside from that, feel free to mix bold/italic/strikethrough. A quick test: when you’re typing the message, WhatsApp will preview the formatting by slightly fading the symbols if done correctly.

Combining formats should be used strategically and sparingly. It can make a word really stand out, but if you make too many things multi-formatted, the message can become chaotic. According to messaging best practices, mixing bold, italics, and strikethrough adds extra focus and makes messages more interesting; it's a way to visually differentiate multiple layers of importance. For example, in one sentence, you might have one keyword bold, another keyword italic, and maybe one in both to create a visual hierarchy of emphasis. This guides the reader on what to look at first, next, and last. For marketers, the ability to combine formats is an advanced trick: use it for the single most critical element in your message (like a deadline: Today Only, or a Final Warning on an expiring offer). It adds a bit of flair and ensures that even if someone is skimming, their eyes land on that doubly-highlighted phrase. Just remember the golden rule – if everything is special, nothing is special. So reserve combo-formatting for the can't-miss words.

9. Emojis and Symbols – Enrich Text with Visual Cues 

Strictly speaking, emojis and symbols aren’t “text formatting” in the sense of bold or italic, but they are crucial text elements that can transform the tone and engagement level of your WhatsApp messages. For marketers, using emojis strategically can make messages more relatable and help important points pop. Think of emojis as colorful annotations to your formatted text: a well-placed 🔥 fire emoji can emphasize a hot deal, a ✅ check mark can serve as a bullet point or signify completion, and a 🚀 rocket can hype up a new launch. Emojis break the monotony of plain text and can draw the eye to specific parts of your message. In a way, they function like visual bolding for certain concepts, and they make your message feel more friendly and modern.

  • Use cases: Emojis can be used to highlight specific words or serve as bullet icons. For example, “Get 50% off everything in our Summer Sale! Don’t miss out 🌟” – the star emoji adds excitement. Or if listing out a few items without using the official bullet format, you might manually use emoji bullets:
    • Free Shipping
    • 24/7 Support
      Emojis like ✅ or ⭐ in front of each item act as attractive bullet points. Another great use is to emphasize a CTA or urgency: “Sale ends today ⏰ – act fast!” where the clock emoji reinforces urgency. If you have a link, an arrow 👉 can point to it and say "click here". For a more personal touch, you can even use emojis to mimic a friendly tone, e.g., "Hi John 😊". The key is to use emojis that align with your brand voice and the message context – they should enhance, not distract.
  • Best practices: Don’t overdo it. A handful of well-chosen emojis can boost engagement, but a swarm of them can look unprofessional or be hard to read. Pick emojis that match the emotion or concept of your message (🔥 for hot/new, 🎁 for offers, 💡 for tips, etc.). According to WhatsApp marketing experts, emojis can make messages feel less promotional and more conversational, bridging the gap between brand and user. They humanize your message. In fact, some brands strategically place emojis around a word to draw focus. For example, a lightning emoji before and after the word Sale – “Our ⚡Sale⚡ is live!” – to create a sense of energy.

Emojis also serve a functional role: since WhatsApp doesn’t support colored text or custom fonts (beyond monospace), emojis bring color and personality into the text. A red ❤️ heart or a green ✅ check can convey meaning at a glance. Especially on mobile, where users are used to emoji-rich communication with friends, a message from a business that includes a relevant emoji can feel more natural and engaging. It shows that your brand “speaks the language” of chat. Just ensure the emojis make sense and add clarity (or emotional value) to the message. For instance, saying "We have an exclusive deal for you 🎉" sets a celebratory tone, implying something good. Whereas "Important update ❗" with the exclamation emoji stresses urgency.

In summary, sprinkle emojis thoughtfully to accentuate your formatted text. They can act as visual signposts that highlight offers, segment information, or simply add warmth. A/B testing different emojis is also wise – see which ones resonate with your audience. Done right, emojis and symbols will make your WhatsApp marketing messages feel more human and attention-grabbing, leading to higher engagement.

10. Line Breaks & Short Messages – Keep It Concise and Readable

Last but certainly not least: the way you break up your text in a WhatsApp message is a formatting trick in itself. Even with all the bold or italics in the world, a message that’s a wall of text can intimidate or bore readers. WhatsApp is inherently a quick-chat platform – people expect short, digestible messages. For marketers, this means you should format your message with line breaks, spacing, and brevity in mind. In fact, one marketing study suggests that WhatsApp messages should ideally take no more than 8–10 seconds to read. If your message looks like a lengthy email, chances are the user will skim or skip it.

Use short paragraphs: Break your message into 1-2 sentence paragraphs or even single-line sentences where appropriate. On WhatsApp, pressing “Enter” will send the message by default on mobile, but you can insert a new line by using Shift + Enter (on WhatsApp Web/Desktop) or toggling off the "Enter is send" option on mobile to add line breaks. Use this to create natural pauses. For example, instead of:

"Hi John, our big end-of-season sale is now live. We’re offering 50% off on all items in our catalog for the next 48 hours. Shop now and save big on your favorite products! Visit our website to grab the deals before they’re gone."

which is a long paragraph, you could send:

Hi John! Our **Big End-of-Season Sale** is now live.  

Enjoy *50% OFF* on all items for the next 48 hours. 

Shop now and save on your favorites – don’t miss out!  

[Visit our site](https://example.com) to grab the deals before they’re gone.

  • See how the message is split into multiple lines and even multiple paragraphs (denoted by an extra blank line for a new paragraph). This is far more readable on a phone screen. The first line is a greeting and headline, the second line states the offer, then a spaced break, then a call-to-action line with a link.
  • Front-load important info: Because of WhatsApp’s preview nature (and short attention spans), put the most critical information in the first line or two. If the key offer or call-to-action only appears at the end of a long message, many might not see it without scrolling. As mentioned earlier, only the first part of your message shows in notifications and chat list previews. So make that part count – for example, start with "50% OFF Today Only!" or "[Brand Name]: New Feature Alert". Then you can provide details in subsequent lines. This way, even if someone doesn’t open the message immediately, they glean the main point from the preview.
  • Be concise and clear: Given WhatsApp’s informal setting, brevity boosts engagement. Users often check messages on the go, so they appreciate it when you get to the point quickly. If something can be said in 5 words instead of 10, go for 5. Use simple language and short sentences. Also, consider sending multiple shorter messages rather than one enormous message if you have multiple points – it can feel more conversational and less daunting. But don’t overdo one-liners either; you don’t want to spam a customer with 10 separate bubbles where 1 or 2 well-structured bubbles would do. It’s a balance.

Remember the wise words from marketing gurus: even with a 99% open rate on WhatsApp, your job isn’t done until the customer reads and acts on your message. Formatting and brevity help ensure that once opened, your message gets read fully and understood. One technique is to use whitespace effectively – a blank line (extra line break) can signal a new thought and give breathing room, much like in an email or blog post. This prevents the message from feeling like a text blob. Also, maintain a casual, conversational tone (as if you’re chatting with a friend) – this keeps the user comfortable and more likely to read through.

In summary, less is more on WhatsApp. By writing crisp messages and using line breaks to structure them, you respect your audience’s time and capture their interest. As a result, your key points – enhanced by all the formatting tricks above – will shine through without overwhelming the reader. A short, well-formatted WhatsApp message can deliver the punch of a much longer message because it’s direct and user-friendly. This leads to higher retention of information and better response rates.

Actionable Tip: Next time you draft a WhatsApp campaign message, read it aloud to yourself. Does it sound like something you’d quickly tell someone in person? If not, try trimming and breaking it into chat-sized chunks. Your customers will find it much more appealing to read a concise, nicely formatted message – and a message that’s read is a message that can convert!

Conclusion 

WhatsApp’s text formatting features might seem simple, but as we’ve seen, they are powerful tools for marketers. By using bold text for key offers, italics for nuance, strikethroughs for discounts, monospace for codes, and the newly added lists and quotes for structure, you can transform a basic message into a compelling marketing piece. These formatting tricks help your message cut through the noise, making important information unmissable and improving overall readability. Remember, people respond to messages that are clear, engaging, and relevant. A well-formatted message not only grabs attention but also builds trust, showing that you care about the details and professionalism of your communication.

Now it's your turn to put these tips into practice. Imagine the impact of a WhatsApp broadcast where the first line of each message hooks the reader, the core details stand out in bold or bullets, and the tone feels friendly and approachable. It could mean the difference between a message that gets instant replies and clicks and one that gets lost in the chat history. Don’t let your WhatsApp marketing fall flat due to plain, boring text. Apply these formatting tricks in your next campaign and watch the engagement improve – higher read-through rates, more clicks on your links, and better customer feedback.

Ready to elevate your WhatsApp marketing game? Try out at least 2–3 of these formatting tricks this week in your customer communications. For example, send your next promotional offer with a bold headline and a few bullet points, or text a VIP customer with their name in italics and a personalized emoji. See how they respond! You’ll likely notice a boost in both customer interest and response quality. And if you found these tips useful, feel free to share this guide with your team or fellow marketers. Let’s raise the bar for WhatsApp marketing messages across the board. Happy WhatsApp marketing!

1. How do I format text in WhatsApp (bold, italic, strikethrough, etc.)?

WhatsApp uses simple markup characters to format text. For bold, add * before and after the word (e.g., *hello* → hello). For italics, use _ underscores (e.g. _hello_ → hello). For strikethrough, use ~ tildes (e.g. ~hello~ → hello). To get the monospace font, wrap text in three backticks ( hello ). Additionally, as of 2024, you can create bulleted lists by starting lines with - or * , and numbered lists with 1. , 2. , etc. You can also add > at the start of a line to make a block quote. These formatting options are available on all updated versions of WhatsApp. (On mobile, you can also long-press the text you’ve typed and use the BIU or More menu to apply bold, italic, etc., without manually typing the symbols.)

2. Does WhatsApp support bullet points and lists in messages?

Yes! As of a February 2024 update, WhatsApp allows users to format bulleted and numbered lists natively. To add a bullet point, start a new line with a hyphen or asterisk followed by a space (e.g., "- Item 1"). To create a numbered list, start lines with "1. ", "2. ", etc., followed by a space. The app will display them as indented lists with actual bullet symbols or numbers. This is very useful for sharing multiple points or steps in an organized way. If you don’t see this formatting, make sure your WhatsApp is updated to the latest version (the feature is available across Android, iOS, and Web). Prior to this feature, people often manually used emoji like "•" or "-" to indicate bullets, but now WhatsApp will do the formatting for you, making lists cleaner and more uniform.

3. Are WhatsApp formatting features visible to everyone (Android, iOS, Web)?

Yes, all of WhatsApp’s formatting features are designed to be visible across platforms. Whether your recipient is on Android, iPhone (iOS), or WhatsApp Web/Desktop, they will see the bold, italic, strikethrough, lists, and other formatting just as you intended. The formatting is part of the message itself (not an added overlay), so it renders consistently. However, both you and the recipient need to be using relatively up-to-date versions of WhatsApp that support these features. The bold/italic/strikethrough/monospace have been around for a while (since ~2016), so virtually all users can see those. The list and quote features rolled out in 2024, but as long as the app is updated, those will show correctly, too. If someone is on a very old WhatsApp version that doesn’t support lists, they might just see the raw text (e.g., hyphens instead of bullets). But given WhatsApp’s auto-updates and the ubiquity of these features now, it’s rare to encounter a user who can’t see them. In summary, you can confidently use text formatting, knowing that your audience will see the styled text as intended, regardless of device. It’s always a good idea, though, to test your formatted message on your own phone or with a colleague to ensure it looks right (especially if using any unusual characters or third-party fonts). Once you see it works, you can hit send to your customers with peace of mind!

About The Author:

Aditi Kamini

Aditi, a content marketer at SendWo, is a passionate writer and marketing enthusiast. She excels in driving revenue campaigns, building client relationships, and mastering content creation, SEO, customer service, and project management.
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