# Service message

> A service message is a business's reply inside WhatsApp's 24-hour window; since October 2026 each number gets 1,000 free a month, then they're charged.

Canonical: https://heykiko.io/glossary/service-message
Last updated: 2026-11-05

## What it means

Replies from an AI agent count as service messages, the same as replies from a person. Without a payment method, Meta stops delivering them once the free 1,000 are used.

## Related

- [WhatsApp 24-hour window](https://heykiko.io/glossary/customer-service-window)
- [WhatsApp message categories](https://heykiko.io/glossary/whatsapp-message-categories)
- [WhatsApp API cost calculator](https://heykiko.io/tools/whatsapp-api-cost-calculator)
- [Full glossary](https://heykiko.io/glossary)