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.
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.
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.
- Press Block a number.
- Enter the mobile number. For a number outside India, pick its country code first.
- Optionally fill in Why? (optional), for example "asked us to stop over the phone".
- 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.
Related: Broadcasts · 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.