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# What does the “First Message” tag mean in WhatsApp (AcmeChat) and how do I use it?

| Tip
⚡ Quick answer —

“First Message” is an auto-applied tag that captures the exact source (product page, ad, QR code, etc.) of a contact’s very first WhatsApp message to you. It appears < 1s after the first inbound message, never changes unless edited, and powers segmentation, automation, and revenue attribution.

## When should I use this guide?

* You create WhatsApp entry links or QR codes and need reliable tracking.
* You build automations that trigger when a contact’s tag equals a campaign or product.
* You audit attribution data for ads, pages, or offline events.

---

## 1. Overview: how the tag works

The platform inspects the first click-through URL used to open WhatsApp and copies the utm_source or data-tag value into a persistent contact tag called First Message.

| Landing source example | Auto-assigned tag |
| --- | --- |
| [https://wa.me/15551234567?utm_source=Product\_X](https://wa.me/15551234567?utm_source=Product_X) | Product X |
| [https://wa.me/15551234567?utm_source=Service\_A\_2025](https://wa.me/15551234567?utm_source=Service_A_2025) | Service A |
| QR code with data-tag=Tradeshow\_QR | Tradeshow QR |

---

## 2. Prerequisites

* WhatsApp Business API connected through AcmeChat.
* Entry links or QR codes containing a single utm_source (or data-tag) parameter.
* The contact has never messaged your number before.

---

## 3. Step-by-step: test & verify

| Step | Action |
| --- | --- |
| 1 | Build a link: `https://wa.me/15551234567?utm_source=Product_X` (edit phone & tag). |
| 2 | Click the link or scan the QR code to send a test message. |
| 3 | Open Inbox → conversation thread. |
| 4 | In the Contact Details pane, locate Tags → confirm “Product X”. |
| 5 | Use Filters → Tags → Product X to launch an automation or export CSV. |

Expected outcome: tag appears instantly and triggers any rule that listens for Tag = Product X.

---

## 4. Expected results

* Tag applied within 1 second.
* Tag persists for the lifetime of the contact unless manually edited.
* All automations using the tag fire as designed.

---

## 5. Edge cases & when it DOES NOT work

| Scenario | System behaviour | Work-around |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Contact already has a tag | Existing tag is kept; new tag is ignored. | Manually adjust if necessary. |
| Multiple utm_source values | First parameter wins. | Use only one utm_source. |
| Link lacks utm_source/data-tag | Tag defaults to Unknown Source. | Always include a source parameter. |

---

## Segment your audience by First Message Tag

### Why use it:

* Intent targeting – e.g., send promos only to contacts whose first tag = “Product Inquiry”
* Support prioritisation – auto-route “Urgent” tags to Tier 2 agents.
* Pattern analysis – see which entry points create the most “Pricing Question” tags.

### How to segment (Web)

1. Dashboard › Manage › Conversations.
2. Click Tag filter → choose First Message Tag.
3. Pick a tag (e.g., “Order Inquiry”).
4. Click Create Segment or Export Contacts to launch a campaign or assign agents.

### How to segment (Mobile)

1. App › Conversations › Filters.
2. Select First Message Tag, choose the tag, tap Save as Segment or Export.

Expected result:

A dynamic segment containing only contacts whose very first inbound message carried the selected tag—ready for campaigns, routing rules, or analytics.

---

## 6. Troubleshooting guide

| Symptom | Possible cause | Fix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| No tag after first message | Link missing utm_source | Regenerate the link and retest. |
| Wrong tag value | Typo in URL parameter | Correct the link; future contacts will tag properly. |
| Automation not firing | Rule references the wrong tag spelling | Update the rule to match the exact tag text. |

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Keywords: First Message tag, WhatsApp utm_source, contact segmentation, AcmeChat automation