What’s actually at risk?

• 24/7 AI chat flows that currently run inside WhatsApp.
• Lead capture and shopper assistance starting from WA entry points (QR codes, links, ads).
• Support deflection to automated answers for returns, order status, and FAQs.

Good news: You can preserve most outcomes by shifting automation to compliant channels and using WhatsApp only as a handoff and notification layer where permitted. Use our Assistant Analytics blueprint to measure the before/after impact.

12 migration playbooks you can ship this week

1) Instagram DM Automation for Pre‑Purchase

Move “shop the look,” size help, and restock alerts into IG DM where your audience already browses. Add story stickers and bio links that deep‑link into a DM thread with a guided menu.

1. Start with a 5‑question decision tree: category → size → fit guide → price → cart link.
2. Route complex queries to a human in the same thread with a clear handoff message.
3. Track DM→cart with UTMs and a discount code unique to Instagram.

2) Web Chat that Identifies Users (and SSO‑links from WhatsApp)

Replace long WA chats with a signed web chat tied to the shopper’s account. From WhatsApp, send a short message: “For faster help, continue here,” linking to a signed session URL. Keep the WA thread for order updates only.

3) Email Copilot for Post‑Purchase Support

Automate order status, returns labels, and warranty Q&A over email. It’s slower than chat, but compliant and searchable. Add smart snippets like: “Click to get your return label,” powered by secure, expiring links.

4) Self‑Serve Help Hub with A‑SEO

Ship an FAQ hub optimized for assistant surfaces (voice and in‑car). Follow the A‑SEO playbook: short question titles, action verbs, and one canonical answer per page. Add “Get human help” buttons that open your web chat or IG DM.

5) iMessage for Business (Apple Messages for Business)

For iOS‑heavy audiences, stand up guided flows for order lookups and appointment rescheduling. Keep prompts transactional, link to your help hub for long answers, and display business hours to set expectations.

6) Messenger/Telegram as Overflow Channels

Not your primary—use these as overflow during peaks. Mirror the same short decision trees and keep promo pushes opt‑in only.

7) Alexa+ for Voice Bookings and Repeat Orders

Voice is ideal for reorders and time‑boxed tasks. Use our 72‑hour voice launch guide to publish a minimal booking/order assistant, then iterate. Read: Alexa+ booking firehose and the 7‑day Alexa+ founder sprint.

8) Android Auto & In‑Car Moments

Car time is high intent: “track my order,” “extend rental,” “reorder last.” Build 3–5 voice intents that finish in under 20 seconds. See our 10‑day in‑car plan and weekly assistant roundup.

9) Smart Forms Instead of Open Chat

For returns, warranty, and repairs, swap free‑text chat for a 6‑field smart form that generates labels/appointments instantly. Forms convert higher on mobile and are easier to govern.

10) Proactive Notifications (Within Policy)

Use permitted templates to send short status pings, then deep‑link to a compliant channel for the full conversation. Example: “Your order is delayed. Get options here →” to a signed web chat URL.

11) Human‑in‑the‑Loop Escalation Map

Define where the bot stops: high‑value refunds, medical/legal claims, and VIP tiers. Escalate to trained agents with full context from the last 5 messages and customer profile.

12) Analytics & UTM Discipline

Tag every entry point and outcome. Adopt the Assistant Analytics schema and build one Looker/GA4 dashboard with funnels per channel.

Copy‑paste building blocks

Short handoff message (from WhatsApp → web chat)

We can resolve this faster in our secure chat. Open link (valid 15 min): https://example.com/help?session={token}

IG DM quick menu

• 🧾 Order status
• ↩️ Returns/exchanges
• 📦 Where’s my package?
• 👕 Size & fit help
• 🛒 Add to cart

UTM starter kit

utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=handoff&utm_campaign=jan15_migration&utm_content={playbook_name}

Guardrails: compliance and trust

• Consent: Do not auto‑enroll users into new channels; show a one‑tap consent.
• Data minimization: Only collect what you need (order ID, email); avoid full transcripts unless required.
• Retention: Set auto‑deletion timers for failed authentication or inactive chats.
• Fallback: If the bot detects frustration (2+ repeats), escalate immediately to a human or show a phone callback option.

For a wider market view and how policy shifts are reshaping distribution, read our 2026 Assistant Channel Map and CES week plan.

Example rollout plan (48–72 hours)

1. Day 1 AM: Enable signed web chat; publish 6 core FAQs with A‑SEO; create IG DM quick menu.
2. Day 1 PM: Add WhatsApp → web chat handoff link; set up order status + returns forms.
3. Day 2 AM: Launch Alexa+ reorder intent and one booking flow using our 10‑step launch plan.
4. Day 2 PM: Turn on email copilot for post‑purchase; train agents on new escalation map.
5. Day 3: Wire UTMs into one dashboard; run a 48‑hour A/B on IG DM vs. web chat entry points.

The bottom line

You don’t need to wait for January 15 to react. Treat WhatsApp as a notification + verified sender and move the heavy conversation to channels you control. Voice (Alexa+, in‑car) and owned surfaces (web, email) can keep conversions high with less policy risk.

Need this shipped for you? The HireNinja team can stand up these playbooks in days, wire analytics, and train your agents.

Get a migration plan from HireNinja →