# WhatsApp opt-outs — how STOP and START work

> How Pathshala blocks WhatsApp messages to people who reply STOP, how they start again, and how to block a number by hand.

Source: https://pathshala.mjxtechnologies.com/docs/whatsapp/opt-outs/

When someone replies **STOP**, Pathshala adds them to your opt-out list straight away, sends them a short confirmation, and blocks every WhatsApp message to them, across every module. You do not have to do anything. This is a rule Meta expects every business to follow, so it is on every plan and cannot be switched off.

> [!PATH] Apps › WhatsApp › WhatsApp › Opt-Outs

![WhatsApp Opt-Outs screen with the Block a number button marked](media/whatsapp/opt-outs-1.jpg "Apps › WhatsApp › WhatsApp › Opt-Outs")

The **WhatsApp Opt-Outs** page lives at `/whatsapp/opt-outs`.

## How STOP and START work

| The person sends | What happens | Reply they get |
|---|---|---|
| STOP, STOP ALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, OPT OUT, DND, "no more messages", "band karo", "message mat bhejo" (and a few more) | Added to your list as **Blocked**, at once | "You will not receive any more WhatsApp messages from us. Reply START at any time to turn them back on." |
| START, UNSTOP, RESUME, SUBSCRIBE, OPT IN, "chalu karo", "shuru karo" | Back to **Subscribed** | "You will receive WhatsApp messages from us again. Reply STOP at any time to turn them off." |

Punctuation and emoji are ignored ("Stop 🙏" counts), but the word must be the whole message.

## What the list shows

Filter with **All**, **Blocked** and **Resubscribed**, or search with **Search by number...**. Each row shows the number, a **Blocked** or **Subscribed** chip, and how they got there:

- **Replied "STOP"** (the word they used), or **Replied on WhatsApp**
- **Blocked by your staff**, with the reason if one was given
- **MJX-wide** — the number opted out of all MJX messages. Only they can undo this, by sending START.

## How to block a number by hand

Use this when a parent asks you to stop over the phone or in person.

1. Press [[Block a number]].
2. Enter the mobile number. For a number outside India, pick its country code first.
3. Optionally fill in **Why? (optional)**, for example "asked us to stop over the phone".
4. Press [[Block]].

## How to start messaging someone again

Press [[Resubscribe]] on their row and confirm. Only do this if the person has asked you to — messaging someone who said STOP harms your number's quality rating.

## Who can use it?

- **Any staff member** can read the list — a receptionist about to message a parent needs to know.
- **Owner or admin** can block a number or resubscribe one.

> [!WARNING]
> If your own number is **Not receiving** on WhatsApp Settings, STOP replies are not reaching Pathshala either, so new opt-outs are not recorded. Fix it straight away — see [Troubleshooting](whatsapp/troubleshooting).

Related: [Broadcasts](whatsapp/broadcasts) · [Best practices](whatsapp/best-practices)

## Questions people ask

### What words count as STOP?

STOP, STOP ALL, UNSUBSCRIBE, OPT OUT, DND, "no more messages" and common Romanised Hindi phrases such as "band karo" and "message mat bhejo" — when that is the whole message. A sentence that only contains the word, like "please don't stop the demo class", does not opt anybody out.

### Can I message someone who opted out?

No. Pathshala blocks every message to them, from every module, until they send START — or until an owner or admin resubscribes them because they asked.

### Do opted-out people count on my bill?

No. A blocked message is skipped, not sent, so it is never charged.