Set up Facebook opt-ins in a few steps
If you just need the essentials, follow this:
- Create a flow that sends an opt-in request (usually started by a keyword)
- Add the Send an opt-in request action and select/create the opt-in topic
- Create an opt-in accepted flow and trigger to run when contacts accept
- Create an opt-out flow and trigger to run when contacts opt out of the topic
- Test end-to-end with a real Facebook Messenger conversation
You’re done. Contacts can subscribe to a topic, receive compliant follow-ups beyond 24 hours, and opt out any time.
Step-by-Step Process
Facebook requires that messages sent to a contact more than 24 hours after their last message be associated with an opt-in topic (a user permission).
In RapidPro.app, you typically set up three pieces: a request flow, an opt-in accepted trigger/flow, and an opt-out trigger/flow.
[CAPTURE: Diagram or list showing the 3-part setup (Request → Opt-in accepted → Opt-out).]
Create a flow to request opt-in
- Go to Flows and click New Flow.
- Name the flow (for example, “Climate Opt-in Request”).
- Create a keyword trigger to start it (for example, CLIMATE).
[CAPTURE: Flows page with “New Flow”.]
[CAPTURE: Trigger setup showing keyword CLIMATE starting the request flow.]
Add “Send an opt-in request”
- In the flow, add the action Send an opt-in request.
- Select an existing opt-in topic from the dropdown, or create one by typing its name.
- Confirm and save.
[CAPTURE: Flow action menu highlighting “Send an opt-in request”.]
[CAPTURE: Opt-in request selector/dropdown showing topic selection/creation.]
Create an “opt-in accepted” flow
Create a new flow (often a Background Flow if you only update groups). For example, you can add contacts to an Optins group,
remove them from an Optouts group, and optionally send a confirmation message.
[CAPTURE: Flow showing “Add to group Optins” and “Remove from group Optouts”.]
Create the opt-in accepted trigger
- Go to Triggers and click + New Trigger.
- Select Start a flow when a contact accepts an opt-in request.
- Choose the flow you created and save.
[CAPTURE: Triggers page with “+ New Trigger”.]
[CAPTURE: Trigger type list highlighting “accepts an opt-in request”.]
[CAPTURE: Trigger config showing Flow selected.]
Create an “opt-out” flow
Create another flow (often Background) to remove the contact from your opt-in tracking group, add them to an opt-out tracking group,
and optionally send a clear confirmation message.
[CAPTURE: Flow showing “Remove from group Optins” and “Add to group Optouts”.]
Create the opt-out trigger
- Go to Triggers and click + New Trigger.
- Select Start a flow when a contact opts out of a topic they previously opted in to.
- Choose the opt-out flow and save.
[CAPTURE: Trigger type list highlighting “opts out of a topic”.]
[CAPTURE: Trigger config showing Opt-out flow selected.]
- The contact sends the keyword (for example, CLIMATE).
- They receive an opt-in request prompt.
- If they accept, the opt-in accepted trigger starts your follow-up flow.
- They can opt out any time, which starts your opt-out flow.
- Review opt-in/opt-out status from the contact’s page.
[CAPTURE: Contact view showing opt-in topic status / history.]
Common Issues & Quick Fixes
Problem: I can’t find opt-in triggers in the trigger list.
Fix: Confirm a Facebook Messenger channel is connected and enabled, then refresh the triggers list after channel setup.
Problem: Contacts opt in but don’t enter the follow-up flow.
Fix: Confirm the “accepts opt-in request” trigger is active and points to the correct flow.
Problem: Group membership doesn’t change after opt-in/opt-out.
Fix: Verify the flow actions (Add vs Remove) and group names, and use a Background Flow if you don’t want to interrupt other flows.