# Origin channels — trackable WhatsApp links per campaign

> Create WhatsApp links and QR codes for each portal or campaign and find out where every prospect comes from, be it Inmuebles24, Lamudi, a printed ad or your property sign.

Source: https://docs.watsi.ai/en/channels/source-links

**Origin channels** generates trackable WhatsApp links and QR codes for each portal or campaign. Every campaign has a unique phrase the prospect sends when opening the link; when that first message arrives, watsi saves on the contact where it came from. That way you know how many prospects Inmuebles24, Lamudi, a flyer or a property sign bring you, without asking anyone.

## How it works

- A **channel** is a source of prospects: a portal, your printed ads, your signs.
- Each channel has **campaigns**. Each campaign has its own link, its QR code and a **unique phrase**.
- The link opens WhatsApp with the phrase already typed. When the prospect sends it as the **first message of a new chat**, watsi assigns the origin to the contact.

You see the origin in the **Contacts** list (**Origin** column) and in each contact's details. Contacts that didn't come through a channel show as **Organic / Direct**.

> **Note**
  You need a connected WhatsApp number to generate links. If you don't have one, the page asks you
  to "Connect a WhatsApp number to generate trackable links."

## Create a channel and its campaigns

### Open Origin channels
    In the sidebar, inside the **Meta Ads** group, go to **Origin channels**.
### Create the channel
    Click **New channel** and type the **Channel name** (for example, "Inmuebles24"). The **Key
    (identifier)** is generated for you. Under **Advanced** you can set a **Keyword to detect
    (optional)**, such as `inmuebles24`, which pre-fills your campaigns and detects portal traffic,
    and a **Message template (optional)**.
### Create a campaign
    Inside the channel click **New campaign**. Type the **Campaign name** and the **Message phrase
    (unique)**: it's what the customer will send, and it must differ from other campaigns. If the
    channel has a keyword, the phrase must include it. Optionally add a **Reference code** to
    identify the property or the ad.
### Share the link or the QR
    Use **Copy link** for your online listings or **Show QR code** to print it on a sign or flyer.

> **Tip**
  You can **Edit** a campaign's message whenever you want: the QR you already printed keeps working.
  If you **Archive** a campaign, its phrase is freed for reuse.

## Limitations

- The origin is saved only with the **first message of a new chat**. If the contact had written to you before, their origin doesn't change.
- If the prospect came from a Meta ad that opens WhatsApp, watsi already records the ad as the origin, and that takes precedence.

## Related

- [WhatsApp Coexistence](/whatsapp/coexistence)
    Connect the number you already publish in your listings.
- [Instagram & Messenger](/channels/instagram-messenger)
    Get Meta direct messages too.

## FAQ

### How do I know if a prospect came from Inmuebles24 or Lamudi?

Create an origin channel per portal and use its link or phrase in your listings. When the prospect writes for the first time with that phrase, watsi saves the origin on their contact.

### If I change a campaign's message, does the printed QR stop working?

No. You can edit a campaign's message and the QR code you already printed keeps working.