WhatsApp promotions require the relevant commercial electronic messaging approval and Meta WhatsApp consent; a KVKK privacy notice does not replace either. Rezervem Connect builds eligible guest audiences and sends the campaign to contacts who meet the permission rules. A phone number collected for a reservation is not a marketing list.
Who is this for, and when does it matter?
This guide is for restaurants and hotel teams using reservation databases, QR sign-ups, web forms, historic CRM exports or walk-in guest records. It is particularly important when importing older lists or redesigning a registration form: the way the data was obtained determines what it is used for.
1. Identify the origin of guest details
Label whether a number came from a reservation, walk-in visit, table QR registration, event sign-up or legacy CRM import. A missing source should not be treated as marketing permission. Identify the legal entity on whose behalf the details were collected.
Review the purpose and retention of optional information such as birthdays, preferences or visit history. Do not collect more information than the guest relationship needs.
2. Separate commercial approval from privacy information
For campaigns subject to Turkish rules, determine whether commercial electronic message approval is required, which recipient-specific exceptions may apply and which İYS approval or refusal record is relevant. The guest should be able to understand the sending business and the communication purpose.
Under KVKK, the obligation to provide a privacy notice is different from obtaining explicit consent when the relevant processing activity requires it. Do not make an unnecessary marketing checkbox a condition of completing a reservation or basic guest registration.
Connect's eligibility rules separate permission-based recipients from contacts with refusals. Do not import an old reservation spreadsheet as an automatically approved marketing list.
3. Remove opt-outs and contacts without permission
Meta's WhatsApp Business policy imposes platform conditions in addition to local rules. An İYS approval is not standalone proof that the guest agreed to receive WhatsApp communication. Check current WhatsApp preferences, opt-outs and any available suppression records.
People can withdraw permissions after joining a list. Ensure a refusal recorded after an old spreadsheet export will still exclude that person when a campaign is prepared.
4. Prepare the permitted campaign audience
Start with an actual offer and the guests most likely to be interested, rather than using every available contact. Segment membership does not itself indicate permission. Validate each recipient against the latest applicable consent and channel preferences.
In Connect, select guest lists, tags and segments to build the campaign audience. Read the first-campaign checklist before sending.
Use Connect to choose an eligible audience, approved template and scheduled time.
5. Collect new permission-based registrations with Join QR
Rezervem Join provides registration through a QR code or link. Privacy information, any necessary explicit processing consent and marketing permissions should be treated as different steps. Join does not send data directly to İYS. When the restaurant account has an İYS code, rezervem-api carries out the related İYS flow.
Rezervem Join collects guest details and related permissions; Rezervem Connect sends campaigns to eligible guests. Importing older records does not retroactively create lawful permission.
Where Rezervem fits
Rezervem Connect uses guest lists, tags and segments and applies the relevant sending-permission checks. Rezervem Join collects guest profiles and permissions through table QR registration. Where the business has an İYS code, the İYS flow operates through rezervem-api rather than being a direct Join feature.
For practical details, use Ministry of Trade's İYS information and Meta's policy.
Important limitations
- Law No. 6563, current İYS refusals and Meta WhatsApp messaging rules govern commercial sends.
- KVKK information duties, explicit consent where legally required, and ETK marketing approval are separate steps.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a KVKK privacy notice itself a consent checkbox? — No. Privacy information, explicit processing consent and ETK approval are separate considerations.
- Does İYS approval mean WhatsApp opt-in is complete? — No. Meta's channel-specific conditions still apply.
- Can I continue messaging a guest who opted out? — Do not rely on an older approval after a current refusal.