# WhatsApp channel properties

There are WhatsApp channel-specific properties that can be used when making calls to the Conversation API. These properties can be listed under `channel_properties` in the message request.

## WhatsApp Preview URL

`WHATSAPP_PREVIEW_URL` allows customers to control whether a message containing a URL will show the URL preview or not.

Supported message types:

- Text Messages


Below is the code example for adding the channel specific property `WHATSAPP_PREVIEW_URL` to a Conversation API call:


```json
{
  "app_id": "{APP_ID}",
  "recipient":
  {
    "contact_id": "{CONTACT_ID}"
  },
  "message":
  {
    "text_message":
    {
      "text": "This is a text message from the Sinch Conversation API. https://www.sinch.com"
    }
  },
  "channel_properties": {
    "WHATSAPP_PREVIEW_URL": "false"
  }
}
```

## WhatsApp Direct Send Category

`WHATSAPP_DIRECT_SEND_CATEGORY` allows customers to specify the WhatsApp Direct Send Category.

If defined, the request will be sent through the WhatsApp Direct Send API. See
[WhatsApp Direct API Support](/docs/conversation/channel-support/whatsapp/direct-api) for more information.

Below is a text message code sample for adding the channel specific property `WHATSAPP_DIRECT_SEND_CATEGORY` to a Conversation API call:


```json
{
  "app_id": "{APP_ID}",
  "recipient":
  {
    "contact_id": "{CONTACT_ID}"
  },
  "message":
  {
    "text_message":
    {
      "text": "This is a text message from the Sinch Conversation API. https://www.sinch.com"
    }
  },
  "channel_properties": {
    "WHATSAPP_DIRECT_SEND_CATEGORY": "utility"
  }
}
```

The relevant WhatsApp channel properties are detailed in the table below:

| Property name | Property value |
|  --- | --- |
| `WHATSAPP_PREVIEW_URL` | Defines whether to include a preview of the URL or not. Possible values: `true`, `false`. Default value: `true`. |
| `WHATSAPP_DIRECT_SEND_CATEGORY` | If defined, the request is sent through the WhatsApp Direct Send API. Possible values: `utility`. By default, requests are sent through the WhatsApp Cloud API. |